Introducing the Orbital Guardian
At the end of November 2025, the Chinese mainland's space administration unveiled an ambitious plan for a new satellite network called the Orbital Guardian. Over the next year, the program will deploy 156 satellites in low Earth orbit to boost space situational awareness and track debris for collision avoidance.
Advanced Sensors and AI in Orbit
Each satellite will be equipped with wide-field cameras, infrared imagers, multispectral sensors, electromagnetic surveillance payloads, and onboard computing units running intelligent processing software. Together, they will gather and analyze data on debris fragments and active satellites, feeding real-time alerts to spacecraft operators around the world.
Global Coverage for Safer Skies
Starting in the first half of 2026, launches will roll out in stages, creating a responsive, global monitoring network. 'The primary function of the space sensing constellation is to collect data on space debris and orbiting satellites, analyze this data, and provide it to existing satellites to prevent collisions between satellites and between satellites and debris,' said project leader Hu Yu. With orbital traffic intensifying, such tools are becoming essential.
Toward Sustainable Space Operations
As more nations and private companies send missions into orbit, space is growing crowded with defunct satellites and spent rocket stages. The Orbital Guardian represents a major stride toward sustainable operations by helping protect space stations, satellites and crewed missions from unforeseen threats. It highlights a broader shift toward data-driven solutions in space traffic management.
Reference(s):
China plans 'orbital guardian,' a 156-satellite safeguard for space
cgtn.com
