Australian company HEO has completed its second orbital inspection campaign targeting a discarded CZ-2C rocket stage. The mission utilized the Continuum-1 satellite, a craft originally designed for Earth observation, which was repurposed for space situational awareness through software updates and precise fuel management.
During the second phase, held from August 30 to September 4, the satellite reduced its distance to the target to 27 km, achieving an image resolution of 7 cm per pixel. This followed an initial campaign between August 12 and 16, where the satellite approached within 40 km to capture images at 8 cm per pixel resolution.
In total, the satellite spent approximately 78 hours within 100 km of the rocket stage, including 12 hours at a distance under 50 km. HEO conducted over 50 imaging sessions, resulting in thousands of photographs that allowed experts to assess the object's physical condition, rotation, and structural details like the payload adapter.
The project was executed in collaboration with Satellogic, which provided operational support, and UNSW Canberra Space, which assisted with maneuver planning. The initiative received funding from the Australian Defence Trailblazer program and demonstrates potential for future orbital logistics, debris removal, and satellite maintenance.
