HEO, which specializes in providing images of spacecraft in orbit using satellites operated by partner Earth observation companies, formally known as non-Earth imaging (NEI), has now provided new insights into the spacecraft, including a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) antenna.<\/p>\n
\u201cHEO has characterised and verified key features of the XJY-7 satellite through repeated observations. These include the large radar dish that is now deployed and a SAR antenna,\u201d HEO told SpaceNews.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo maintain power generation, the spacecraft had to rotate its entire body due to fixed solar arrays. We also completed a few simultaneous imaging missions\u2014where two satellites in our network imaged XJY-7 at the same time\u2014that provided additional behavioural intelligence as we saw almost the entire satellite at a snapshot in time over certain geographies.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
HEO was able to build a verified, high-fidelity 3D model of the spacecraft through multiple 2D observations across different angles and geographies, revealing the satellite\u2019s true configuration and behavior.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/HEO-2024-004115_3d_model_image.png\")
A model of China\u2019s XJY-7 build by HEO. Credit: HEO<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are many satellites like XJY-7 whose appearance, behaviour, size and purpose remain uncertain. High-frequency imaging is how we\u2019re closing that gap,\u201d HEO said in a statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
NEI can help satellite operators diagnose issues with spacecraft. But it is also beginning to add a new dimension to conventional Space Domain Awareness (SDA) methods, such as ground radars, telescopes and tracking by adding higher fidelity and richer information. It can reveal shape models, attitude behavior, deployment states and time-tagged operational patterns, which are attributes conventional SDA systems can\u2019t always resolve.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, it is also revealing new details about spacecraft which, hitherto, remained mysterious or classified following launch.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There is sometimes also a geopolitical edge to what is also known as satellite-to-satellite imaging. Maxar, now Vantor, in July released imagery of a Chinese experiment Shijian satellite, revealing details of what is thought to be a technology test for China\u2019s new-gen remote sensing. China\u2019s commercial remote sensing commercial Changguang Satellite Technology later used its Jilin-1 Earth observation fleet to return the favor, releasing images of a Worldview satellite<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n HEO has carried out around 4,000 imaging operations of spacecraft in low Earth orbit. It is now looking to expand its services<\/a> to the geostationary belt. Its capabilities have improved in the last couple of years alone, with advances in imaging technologies, techniques, software and, in some cases, self-developed sensors that can be added to partners\u2019 satellites before launch.<\/p>\n \u201cOur approach lets us capture large volumes of data across many objects quickly, like XJY-7, so we have a holistic understanding of many satellites in orbit and how it behaves,\u201d HEO said.<\/p>\n XJY-7 entered a sun-synchronous orbit following launch via Long March 8. It is thought to have reentered Earth\u2019s atmosphere over the Canary Islands Oct. 16 (UTC), according to satellite tracker Marco Langbroek.<\/p>\n 1\/2 \u2014 Dr Marco Langbroek (@Marco_Langbroek) October 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n \t
New blogpost:
“Identifying a reentry over the Canary Islands on 16 October as the reentry of the Chinese satellite Xinjishu Yanzheng 7 (XJY-7)”
(link to blogpost in next tweet) pic.twitter.com\/wflVOjhbyT<\/a><\/p>\n