China's TJS-3 Satellite Has Reportedly Been Inspecting US, Other Nations' Spacecraft in Geostationary Orbit

China is allegedly scouting other nations as one of its satellites has been spotted inspecting other countries' spacecraft in geostationary orbit.

China's TJS-3 Allegedly Inspecting Other Nation's Satellite

China launched TJS 3 (Tongxin Jishu Shiyan) satellite in 2018. According to NASA, the purpose of the Chinese geostationary satellite is unknown.

A new report from Space.com added that it was vaguely named as a communications experiment satellite. China also released a small subsatellite, probably to help test TJS-3's capabilities.

However, orbital data noticed TJS-3 making close approaches to USA's satellites in recent months. Orbital Focus claimed in February in a tweet that TJS-3 has been moving along the geostationary orbit and made brief stops near USA 233 on Sept. 13, 2022, and USA 298 on Feb. 8, 2023. Both USA 233 and USA 298 are considered military communications satellites operated by the US Space Force.

Satellites in geostationary orbit operate at 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above Earth. Their velocity matches the rotation of the planet, and they appear fixed over one point. They are highly prized for communications and other purposes.

A spacecraft that either lowers or raises its orbit tens of miles will be able to drift east or west respective to other satellites allowing it to sweep past other spacecraft.

Satellite Dashboard, a web tool that collects and analyzes space situational awareness (SSA) data, also revealed that TJS-3 approached USA 233 on Oct. 31, 2-22 at 3.8 miles.

Mission Update

TJS-3 p/l 1 (43874/2018-110A), China GEO inspector

Sat at 59° east, initially alongside TJS-3 p/l 2 that moved to graveyard 2021 Dec

Began wandering 2022 Jul 5 with brief stops near:
USA 233 (38070/2012-003A) - 2022 Sep 13
USA 298 (45465/2020-022B) - 2023 Feb 8
— Orbital Focus (@OrbitalFocus) February 16, 2023

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American, Russian, and Chinese satellites have been increasingly observing each other's satellites in geo and have been approaching each other to attain images and data, probably due to the space race.

The outlet noted that only a little information about TJS-3 is known, but the United Nations will probably keep an eye on it.

Spy Balloon Saga Between USA and China

The spying allegations between China and the US have been ongoing. Aside from the alleged scouting in geostationary orbit, previous reports claimed they also use spy balloons.

There have been hundreds of unidentified balloon sightings in America. There are speculations that some of them were spy balloons from China.

The Biden administration is still figuring out the full extent of China's spy balloon intrusion into the country's airspace. According to CNBC, there are five known Chinese balloon flights - two during Biden's administration and three from former US President Donald Trump's presidency.

Japan's ministry of defense also noticed unidentified flying objects strongly presumed to be reconnaissance balloons from China.

However, China has the same allegations against the United States. On Feb. 12, China's military shut down an unidentified flying object spotted over Shandong province near the capitol of Beijing. Another suspected balloon sighting was observed over Hebei Province, not far from Beijing.

There is no definite answer about those strange balloon sightings, but China previously alleged that the US had flown balloons over its territory.