Space tracking ships are critical assets in modern space exploration, overcoming the limitations of land-based tracking systems by providing real-time telemetry, trajectory monitoring, and communication support for satellites and spacecraft. However, the existing literature offers limited insights into the historical development, technological evolution, and collaborative research trends of these specialized vessels. This study employs a bibliometric analysis using CiteSpace (6.3.R1) to identify research trends, highlight key technological advancements, and assess international collaboration. By analyzing publications from major contributors, including the United States, the former Soviet Union, France, and China, the paper reveals technological innovations such as advancements in measurement systems, communication technologies, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) for enhanced tracking precision. Structural and operational analyses emphasize the importance of design factors, including ship dimensions and internal systems, for ensuring optimal performance in challenging maritime environments. The findings highlight evolving technological priorities and persistent gaps in international collaboration, suggesting opportunities for global partnerships to advance the field. This study bridges historical and technical gaps, providing valuable insights for enhancing the efficiency and strategic relevance of space tracking ships in future space exploration missions.

The wave-making characteristics and resistance performance of a naval vessel are fundamental to its hydrodynamic design, directly impacting its speed, stealth, and energy efficiency. To reveal the performance trade-offs inherent in different design philosophies, a systematic comparative study on the hydrodynamic performance of two representative mainstream naval destroyers from China and the United States was conducted using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Full-scale three-dimensional models of both vessels were established based on publicly available data. Their flow fields in calm water were numerically simulated at both economical (18 knots) and maximum (30 knots) speeds using an unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) solver, the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method for free-surface capturing, and the SST k-ω turbulence model. The performance differences were meticulously compared through qualitative observation of wave patterns, quantitative measurements (such as the transverse width of the wave-making region), and analysis of resistance data. Numerical results indicated that the wave-making generated by the vessel of the United States was more pronounced during steady navigation. To validate the reliability of the CFD results, supplementary towing tank tests were performed using a small-scale model (1.1 m in length) of the vessel from China. The test speed (1.5 m/s) was scaled to correspond to the full-scale ship speed through dimensional analysis. The experimental data showed good agreement with the simulation results, jointly confirming the aforementioned performance trade-off. This study clearly demonstrates that, at the economic speed, the design of the mainstream vessel from China tends to prioritize superior wave stealth performance at the expense of higher resistance, whereas the mainstream vessel from the U.S. exhibits the characteristics of lower resistance coupled with more significant wave-making features. These findings provide an important theoretical basis and data support for the future multi-objective optimization design of surface vessels concerning stealth, speed, and comprehensive energy efficiency.

Existing studies mainly address single launch configurations and provide limited comparison across thrust levels, engine layouts, and launch altitudes. This study establishes a CFD framework coupling rocket dynamics, the VOF multiphase model, overset mesh, and dynamic mesh techniques to simulate three sub-scale offshore launch variants. Five transient stages are identified from free-jet development to plume detachment. The results show that jet stagnation pressure excavates a water cavity, promotes reverse entrainment of high-enthalpy gas near the rocket base, and produces configuration-dependent drag recovery. Type B requires a higher initial launch height to avoid strong plumewater coupling, whereas Types A and C allow lower preliminary height windows when drag benefit and thermal recirculation risk are balanced.

Amphibious assault vehicles serve as core equipment for coastal defense and amphibious operations worldwide, with irreplaceable strategic value. Featuring outstanding comprehensive performance, modern amphibious assault vehicles can maintain stable navigation under Sea States 3–4 and adapt to complex nearshore hydrological environments, emerging as the primary platform for mechanized landing operations of the Marine Corps. Cluster navigation is an inevitable tactical form in the operational application of amphibious assault vehicles. When multiple vehicles sail in formation, the wave-making and water pressure effects induced by individual vehicles generate prominent wave interference drag within the formation, which significantly impacts the overall navigation efficiency and stability. Based on the nearshore combat background of amphibious landing, this paper investigates different formation layouts of amphibious assault vehicle clusters to determine the optimal configuration for group navigation. First, a numerical simulation and a physical experiment are combined; a certain type of amphibious assault vehicle is taken as the prototype for 3D geometric modeling via SOLIDWORKS. Then, adopting the CFD numerical simulation method, with navigation speed and optimal inter-vehicle spacing fixed, variables including formation layout and number of vehicles are controlled to simulate the flow field characteristics and total resistance of different cluster formations in calm water. Meanwhile, 3D printing technology is applied to manufacture scaled-down models for towing tank tests. The experimental results are in good agreement with numerical simulations, revealing the fundamental hydrodynamic laws of formation navigation. Under optimal inter-vehicle spacing, the longitudinal tandem formation achieves the best drag-reduction effect, while the double-column staggered formation (diamond/V formation) can effectively suppress wave interference drag and improve the overall hydrodynamic performance and tactical coordination. The research provides a solid theoretical basis and data support for optimizing formation sailing strategies, enhancing cluster navigation stability and safety, and improving maritime maneuver efficiency. It is also of universal reference value for the tactical deployment of amphibious combat equipment globally.