Cina Klaim Terobosan Baru ‘Satellite to Satellite Refueling’: Satelit BeiDou Dapat Tambahan Umur 8 Tahun

Para peneliti Cina mengklaim telah berhasil mencatatkan terobosan penting dalam teknologi layanan orbital (in-orbit servicing) melalui operasi pengisian bahan bakar dari satelit ke satelit (satellite-to-satellite refueling).

Baca juga: Cina Luncurkan “Satelit Pemburu” yang Bisa Mengendus Radar dan Kapal dari Orbit

Mengutip laporan South China Morning Post (SCMP), satelit eksperimental Shijian-25 dilaporkan sukses melakukan pengisian bahan bakar ke satelit navigasi BeiDou berorbit tinggi (high-orbit) pada Februari 2025, yang secara teknis berpotensi memperpanjang masa operasional satelit BeiDou tersebut hingga delapan tahun ke depan dan mencetak capaian signifikan dalam efisiensi tata kelola aset antariksa berbasis orbit tinggi.

Keberhasilan pengisian bahan bakar di ruang hampa ini membawa dampak strategis yang amat besar bagi ketahanan konstelasi satelit secara keseluruhan karena alih-alih harus meluncurkan satelit pengganti baru bernilai ratusan juta dolar saat bahan bakar pendorong manuvernya habis, kemampuan in-orbit refueling memungkinkan wahana antariksa tetap beroperasi secara optimal jauh melebihi usia pakai terdesainnya, memangkas biaya logistik peluncuran ruang angkasa, serta memastikan kontinuitas layanan sinyal navigasi dan komunikasi tidak terputus akibat penggantian armada satelit.

Untuk memahami kerumitan teknologi ini, perlu dicatat bahwa satelit modern umumnya mengandalkan bahan bakar khusus untuk melakukan manuver koreksi posisi (station-keeping) di ruang hampa, di mana sebagian besar satelit menggunakan bahan bakar monopropelan seperti Hidrazin (N2H4)—cairan kimia yang akan mengalami dekomposisi eksotermik saat melewati katalis untuk menyemburkan gas panas bertekanan tinggi melalui nosel (thruster)—sementara sebagian lainnya menggunakan sistem bipropelan (kombinasi bahan bakar dan oksidator hipergolik) serta pendorongan elektrik/ion berbahan gas Xenon.

China Just Tested A Space Robot That Can Refuel Satellites Mid-Orbit | Wonderful Engineering

A Chinese commercial satellite has successfully carried out a refuelling-related technology test in low Earth orbit, marking a step forward in efforts to extend the operational lifespan of spacecraft. The demonstration involved a flexible robotic arm designed to perform complex servicing tasks in space, including aligning with and connecting to refuelling ports.

The satellite, known as Hukeda-2 or Yuxing-3 06, was launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center and later conducted a series of in-orbit tests using its multi-jointed robotic arm. Developed with input from Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, the system is designed to operate in constrained environments and perform precision tasks in microgravity, according to the South China Morning Post.

The robotic arm features a structure composed of interconnected, spring-like tubes controlled by internal motors and tensioned cables. This design allows it to curl, twist, and wrap around objects, enabling maneuverability in tight or irregular spaces. A nozzle-like tip at the end of the arm is engineered to align with a target interface, a critical requirement for in-orbit refuelling operations.

While details remain limited, it is not confirmed whether the satellite successfully docked with another spacecraft during the test. Achieving such a connection presents significant technical challenges, as satellites in low Earth orbit travel at speeds approaching 27,000 kilometers per hour. Engineers have described the process as comparable to threading a needle while both objects are in rapid motion.

During development, the robotic system encountered stability issues under simulated space conditions. Thermal vacuum testing revealed that temperature fluctuations could induce uncontrolled oscillations in the arm. Researchers addressed the issue by refining the control algorithms, stabilizing the system within a short development window.

Orbital tracking data from the United States Space Force indicates that Hukeda-2 is operating at an altitude of approximately 530 to 540 kilometers in a sun-synchronous orbit. This trajectory allows the satellite to maintain consistent lighting conditions as it passes over different regions of Earth, which is beneficial for observation and testing purposes.

The project represents a notable development in China’s commercial space sector. The satellite was jointly developed by Hunan University of Science and Technology and Suzhou Sanyuan Aerospace Technology, making it one of the first missions of its kind led outside a state-owned enterprise.

In-orbit refuelling is considered a key capability for future space operations, particularly for high-value satellites that are otherwise limited by fuel constraints. Extending mission lifespans could reduce costs and improve sustainability in increasingly congested orbital environments.

China has previously conducted related experiments, including a satellite-to-satellite refuelling test involving Shijian-25 and Shijian-21 in geosynchronous orbit. Those tests demonstrated the feasibility of servicing spacecraft at much higher altitudes, roughly 36,000 kilometers above Earth.

In addition to refuelling technologies, Hukeda-2 is also testing a deployable drag device designed to accelerate its deorbit process. The system, which expands into a balloon-like structure, increases atmospheric resistance and may offer a method to reduce long-term orbital debris by ensuring satellites re-enter Earth’s atmosphere more quickly after completing their missions.

The latest test highlights ongoing efforts to develop autonomous servicing systems in space, with implications for satellite maintenance, debris mitigation, and the long-term sustainability of orbital infrastructure.

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— Owen Gregorian (@OwenGregorian) March 27, 2026

Ketika satelit-satelit konvensional tersebut kehabisan pasokan cairan pendorongnya, di sinilah mekanisme satellite-to-satellite refueling berperan melalui operasi di orbit geosinkron pada ketinggian sekitar 36.000 kilometer yang menuntut tingkat presisi milimeter lewat serangkaian tahapan rumit mulai dari rendezvous dan proximity operations di mana satelit servis Shijian-25 mendekati satelit sasaran BeiDou menggunakan sensor optik, lidar, dan radar jarak dekat hingga kecepatan relatifnya mendekati nol, on-orbit docking di mana satelit servis menggunakan lengan robotik (robotic arms) atau capit mekanis khusus untuk mengunci bodi satelit sasaran yang sejak awal tidak didesain untuk diisi ulang, propellant transfer di mana cairan bahan bakar dialirkan menggunakan tekanan gas pendorong atau pompa khusus melalui selang fleksibel tersegel rapat ke tangki sasaran di lingkungan mikrogravitasi tanpa bobot, hingga undocking di mana mekanisme pengunci dilepas dan satelit servis menjauh untuk membiarkan satelit BeiDou kembali melanjutkan misi dengan kapasitas penuh.

❗️🚀🇨🇳 – China has successfully launched its Shijian-25 satellite, which is primarily designed for advanced technology experimentation focusing on in-orbit refueling and satellite life extension.

The Shijian-25 was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province using a Long March-3B rocket.

This satellite aims to verify technologies for satellite fuel replenishment and life extension services, which could significantly reduce the costs associated with maintaining and replacing satellites in orbit.

— 🔥🗞The Informant (@theinformant_x) January 7, 2025

Terobosan ini membawa implikasi strategis dan militer yang sangat revolusioner, khususnya bagi sistem navigasi BeiDou yang merupakan pilar utama Cina sebagai tandingan GPS buatan Amerika Serikat, karena infrastruktur vital tersebut tidak hanya menopang navigasi sipil tetapi juga memandu sistem persenjataan presisi tinggi militer Cina (PLA) mulai dari rudal balistik, drone, hingga jaringan komando dan kendali global sehingga kepastian pengisian ulang bahan bakar di orbit secara praktis meningkatkan resiliensi strategis jaringan militer Cina dari ancaman kelumpuhan logistik antariksa.

Tantang Dominasi AS, Cina Genjot Pembangunan Jaringan Satelit Militer dan Pengintai di Indo-Pasifik

Bagi satelit militer, teknologi refueling ini mengubah doktrin pertahanan ruang angkasa secara radikal melalui peningkatan ketahanan konstelasi (constellation resiliency)—di mana satelit militer pengintai (reconnaissance), komunikasi strategis, dan peringatan dini (early warning) yang cepat habis bahan bakar manajerialnya kini dapat dihidupkan kembali tanpa menunggu siklus pengadaan baru—sekaligus memicu perubahan taktik peperangan antariksa (counter-space warfare) karena kemampuan wahana bermanuver dan menautkan diri memunculkan potensi kemampuan ganda (dual-use capability) di mana wahana servis yang sama dikhawatirkan militer barat dapat dipakai untuk mendekati, memeriksa, bahkan melumpuhkan satelit militer musuh di orbit.

Keberhasilan Shijian-25 ini praktis memperkokoh kepemimpinan Cina dalam penguasaan teknologi layanan orbital canggih, sekaligus memaksa kekuatan besar dunia lainnya untuk mempercepat program pemeliharaan satelit mandiri guna menghadapi dinamika konflik masa depan di medan antariksa. (Gilang Perdana)

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