No information has been revealed about this project other than that it is testing new technology. But as this top-secret mission draws to a close, an Australian company has revealed the mystery surrounding the spacecraft for the first time.

High Earth Orbit Robotics (HEO) obtained rare images of the Chinese satellite “Xingzhou Yanzheng-7” (XJY-7), which revealed a large dish-shaped antenna and two fixed solar panels.

The company used a network of satellites to monitor XJY-7 from multiple angles and recreate a 3D model of the mysterious moon.

These images not only provide insight into the rapid development of Chinese space technology, but also highlight the role of satellite interconnect imaging in revealing the secrets of spacecraft.

It is noteworthy that the XJY-7 satellite was launched in December 2020 as part of the inaugural flight of the Chinese “Long March 8” missile. It was classified at the time as a satellite intended to test a new technology developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), but its true purpose remained unknown.

The satellite’s mission ended dramatically when it entered the Earth’s atmosphere on October 16 over the Tenerife region in the Canary Islands, as observed by satellite tracking expert Marco Langbroek, who identified the object based on its orbital path. Langbroek described the scene in a blog post: “A bright, slow-moving, crumbly fireball moved from south to north across the sky, accompanied by sonic boom sounds recorded at several seismic stations in Tenerife.”

Before this end, HEO took advantage of the opportunity to use its network of imaging satellites to track the satellite and take close-up images of it. The company explained on the “X” platform: “We analyzed the XJY-7 satellite through high-frequency non-terrestrial imaging, and we were able to build a three-dimensional model from multiple angles and orbits. It was confirmed to us that it is a radar (SAR) satellite equipped with a large antenna and two fixed solar panels that require the entire body to rotate to charge them.”

A SAR satellite is used to monitor the Earth by sending energy pulses to produce high-resolution images, regardless of weather conditions or the presence of daylight. These satellites are usually used for remote sensing and mapping operations, and they can also be used to monitor major infrastructure projects or for defense and intelligence purposes.

China is known for its tight control over information about its space program, as it regularly launches satellites for undeclared purposes. The Chinese space sector has witnessed rapid growth in recent years, as the year 2025 began with the successful launch of the “Shijian-25” satellite to test refueling technologies in orbit. Like XJY-7, the details of the Shijian series of satellites remain vague, both in terms of shape and specific missions.

Source: Gizmodo