DENVER — Experts say China has pulled off a tricky and uncommon feat in space flight by maneuvering one of its satellites to within about 300 yards of another while they were orbiting the Earth.
Analysts say the August encounter could have been a test of China's ability to inspect its own satellites or to spy on others.
It also could have been practice for docking orbiting vehicles, a skill required to build the space station that China is expected to start work on next year.
The experts say the rendezvous probably wasn't meant solely to practice an attack on another country's satellite by ramming it.
U.S. military officials confirm that the rendezvous occurred but have released few details.
Chinese space officials didn't respond to questions.
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