More than 20 percent of China's operating satellites are working beyond their expected lifespan, Chinese media reported on Feb 21.

Yang Baohua, head of China Academy of Space Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, told Science and Technology Daily that at the end of 2012, 17 out of about 80 Chinese satellites in orbit were operating longer than their designed service periods.

Several of the satellites have been operating as long as two to three times beyond their designed lifespan, he said.