The Chinese satellite starlink comparison just became real. China’s Tiandu-1 satellite has reportedly achieved a major milestone in orbital mechanics.
It entered a 3:1 Earth-moon resonant orbit, which means the satellite completes three loops around Earth for every one orbit of the moon — a configuration that could challenge Starlink’s legacy in orbital innovation.
The Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, overseeing the mission, confirmed that Tiandu-1 executed a successful manoeuvre at perigee — its closest point to Earth — on May 22. As a result, it entered what they described as the world’s first round-trip 3:1 Earth-moon trajectory.
The Tiandu-1 navigation test satellite successfully carried out a key manoeuvre at perigee on May 22 and precisely transitioned into a 3:1 Earth-moon resonant orbit.
Testing future space infrastructure
According to the lab, the data collected from this Chinese satellite will support future innovations in orbit control, autonomous navigation, and gravitational dynamics. These are vital components for lunar positioning systems similar to Starlink, which is designed for Earth’s surface.
Its flight data will provide support for advancing technologies such as orbit maintenance, control, and autonomous navigation in complex gravitational environments.
Disputed claim of being first
However, the claim of being the first to achieve this 3:1 orbit is under scrutiny. Harvard astronomer Jonathan McDowell and Canadian satellite expert Scott Tilley say NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) reached a similar orbit back in 2011.
“Yes, indeed Tiandu-1 has entered a 3:1 resonance orbit. Whether it’s the first is debatable…IBEX launched in 2008 uses a similar orbit,” said Tilley.
Despite the challenge, Tiandu-1 stands out for its use of a low-powered 2-watt laser for ultra-fast data transfer — reportedly five times faster than Starlink communication systems.
Why this matters in the space race
A 3:1 resonant orbit is highly complex and rarely achieved. It has strong potential for stable communications and positioning systems for deep space missions — including future human or robotic landings on the moon.
While Starlink aims to cover Earth with internet connectivity, Tiandu-1 signals China’s ambition to build space-based navigation networks similar to BeiDou, but for interplanetary use.
The next step beyond speed
Beyond the title of “first,” the Tiandu-1 mission demonstrates China’s strategic push into advanced space infrastructure. By integrating autonomous navigation with laser data transfer in a challenging orbit, this Chinese satellite starlink comparison underscores the shift toward high-speed, low-power space communication.
Elon Musk may launch a Tesla Pi Phone in 2025 for under $357
China invents coin-sized battery lasting 50 years without recharging
Breakthrough: 6G speed hits 938 Gbps in UCL test, 9000x faster than 5G
