'Global, 24/7, all-weather reconnaissance coverage': China deployed "Eye of Sauron" satellite that can track ships — and the US Navy — from its safe sky abode
China’s new space radar locks onto ships through storms and darkness
by https://www.techradar.com/uk/author/efosa-udinmwen · TechRadarNews By Efosa Udinmwen published 17 April 2026
Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter
Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!
Become a Member in Seconds
Unlock instant access to exclusive member features.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Join the club
Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.
An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter
- China successfully demonstrates geosynchronous satellite tracking of moving maritime targets
- Persistent surveillance from orbit reduces reliance on low Earth satellite constellations
- Three satellites could provide continuous global monitoring of high-value naval assets
China has released radar images showing a geosynchronous orbit satellite successfully tracking a moving maritime target for the first time.
The satellite locked onto the Towa Maru, a 340 meter Japanese tanker traversing rough seas near the Spratly Islands, from an altitude of 35,800 kilometers above Earth.
This breakthrough could give Beijing continuous surveillance of US naval fleets across every ocean.
Article continues below
How three satellites could achieve global coverage
Unlike low-orbit satellites that pass over a location for only minutes at a time, this geosynchronous radar platform maintains a persistent watch despite cloud cover, darkness, and severe ocean interference.
Lead researcher Hu Yuxin declared the new processing architecture could isolate weak ship echoes from violent sea clutter at distances previously considered physically impractical.
With just three such satellites positioned strategically, China could achieve global, 24/7, all-weather reconnaissance coverage of high-value targets, including US carrier strike groups.
To match this capability using conventional low-orbit systems, other countries might need to deploy hundreds or even thousands of satellites.
Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors