.JPG) Small satellite with shenzhou 7 (model） | |
| Mission type | Spacecraft imaging Technology |
|---|---|
| Operator | CASC |
| COSPAR ID | 2008-047G |
| SATCAT no. | 33392 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Launch mass | 40 kilograms (88 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 25 September 2008, 13:10 UTC |
| Rocket | Chang Zheng 2F |
| Launch site | Jiuquan LA-4/SLS-1 |
| Deployed from | Shenzhou 7 |
| Deployment date | 27 September 2008, 11:27 UTC |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Inclination | 42.4 degrees |
Banxing or BX-1 (Chinese: 伴星; lit. 'Companion Satellite'),[1] is a small Chinese technology development satellite which was deployed from the Shenzhou 7 spacecraft at 11:27 GMT on 27 September 2008.[1] Prior to deployment, the satellite was mounted on top of the Shenzhou 7 orbital module.
Banxing was used to relay images of the Shenzhou 7 spacecraft.[2] Weighing some 40 kilograms, and containing two cameras and communication equipment, it was maneuvered using an ammonia gas-based propulsion system.[3] Following the re-entry of Shenzhou 7, Banxing remained in orbit as part of a formation-flying experiment with the discarded Shenzhou orbital module.[4]
A few hours after Banxing was launched it and the Shenzhou 7 orbital module passed unusually close to the International Space Station. This provoked some speculation that the experiment was intended to test military anti-satellite interception technology.[3]
