"Chinese Study Reveals Close Approaches Pose Threat to GEO Assets"
A Chinese study published in the journal Infrared and Laser Engineering has highlighted the close approaches made by U.S. Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellites to Chinese spacecraft in the geostationary belt, describing them as threats. The study identified 14 potential close approaches in 2020 and 2021, with one incident being as close as 9.54 kilometers. The researchers simulated imagery to demonstrate the potential for high-resolution imaging of targeted space objects. The study concludes that these close approaches pose a serious threat to China's high-value assets in GEO. The issue of uncoordinated close approaches in GEO has generated shared concern among countries, but there have been no proposals yet on how to address these threats.