Id: 84

Published: 07/29/2025

Description:

USA 324 maneuvered into the 152°E area to examine its new neighbors TJS-16 and TJS-17, executing close passes of approximately 17 km to TJS-16 on April 26 at 14:45 UTC and 12 km to TJS-17 on April 29 at 13:40 UTC before stabilizing near 152.8°E. As part of a U.S. Space Force program focused on geosynchronous monitoring, USA 324 is designed for active approaches to assess other orbital objects, providing detailed insights into their status and activities from an optimal vantage point. The Chinese TJS-16 and TJS-17, officially for communications testing but suspected of broader roles like surveillance, have drawn international attention amid escalating space competition between nations.