Stunning! China Saved 2 Satellites Stuck in Orbit for 123 Days Using Only Gravity!

“Stunning! China Saved 2 Satellites Stuck in Orbit for 123 Days Using Only Gravity!”
What happens when satellites are launched into the wrong orbit, spinning uncontrollably, and out of fuel? Most missions would be doomed. But in a stunning display of innovation, Chinese space engineers saved two malfunctioning satellites—DRO-A and DRO-B—using nothing but gravity. Over 123 days and 8.5 million kilometers, China used gravitational slingshots from Earth, the Moon, and even the Sun to slowly guide the satellites into their correct orbits. This gravity-based satellite rescue was a world-first in Earth orbit, marking a major milestone in orbital mechanics, space autonomy, and satellite navigation. Now operating with DRO-L, these satellites form a critical Earth-Moon positioning system for China's future lunar missions. Learn how this daring mission reshaped satellite recovery, deep space navigation, and the future of autonomous space operations.
References:
https://www.livescience.com/space/space-exploration/china-uses-gravitational-slingshots-to-save-2-satellites-that-were-stuck-in-the-wrong-orbit-for-123-days

https://www.sciencematterz.com/post/gravitational-slingshot-how-engineers-rescued-stranded-satellites-and-what-it-means-for-future-spac