Latest news with #Shijian21
South China Morning Post
13-07-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
China's Shijian satellite pair appears to dock in orbit for historic refuelling mission
Two Chinese satellites may have docked in geostationary orbit for a historic refuelling mission, an autonomous satellite servicing feat the United States has yet to achieve. China's Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 'appeared visually merged in optical sensor data' between July 2 and July 6, US-based space situational awareness software provider COMSPOC said on Saturday in a social media post. 'Given the prolonged RPO time, SJ-21 and SJ-25 may have docked,' it said, using the acronym for 'rendezvous and proximity operations'. The two probes were observed carrying out such operations in geosynchronous orbit in June and July 'with multiple close approaches', it added. The first close approach was observed on June 11, when Shijian-25 continued its 'steady drift towards' Shijian-21, and the two came within 1km (0.6 mile) of each other on June 13 before separating 90 minutes later, according to COMSPOC. US surveillance satellites USA 270 and USA 271 flanked the Chinese satellites from east and west at the time and were positioned for optimal viewing angles, the company said. According to optical tracking images from Swiss space surveillance firm s2a systems, the Chinese satellites, both orbiting at an altitude of 35,786km (22,236 miles) above the equator, carried out another round of close-proximity operations on June 30.
Fox News
10-07-2025
- Science
- Fox News
Chinese satellites complete groundbreaking mission 22,000 miles above Earth
China's space program took a major stride this past week as two of its satellites seemingly docked together in what could have been the country's first high-altitude attempt at refueling a satellite while in orbit. The Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 satellites appeared to dock with one another last week more than 20,000 miles above the planet in geosynchronous orbit, in which a satellite's orbital period matches the pace of the Earth's rotation, according to news outlet Ars Technica. While Chinese officials have not recently released any updates about the two satellites, civilian satellite trackers showed Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 moving closer together before becoming indistinguishable from one another, Ars Technica reported. These two satellites docking in geosynchronous orbit could indicate that China has the potential to disable another country's satellite in space, Ars Technica reported. However, the U.S. Space Force has similarly been interested in orbital refueling as military satellites often have limited fuel supplies. The military branch is slated to perform its first-ever refueling of a U.S. military asset in orbit as early as next summer. American officials may have taken note of the apparent docking by China last week, as two of the Space Force's inspector satellites appeared to move closer to Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 following the maneuver, Ars Technica reported. Geosynchronous orbit, which is situated at an altitude of around 22,236 miles, is popular among military and commercial satellites as it means they have a fixed view of the planet and can provide military forces with information like early warnings of missile attacks, according to Ars Technica. In April, Space Force Gen. Chance Saltzman described China's explosive advances in space as "mind-boggling" and warned the U.S. is on a path to losing its dominance in orbit. Testifying before the bipartisan U.S.-China Commission, Saltzman said China is "heavily investing" in both ground-based and space-based weapons designed to disable enemy satellites, including kinetic strikes, radio-frequency jamming and directed energy weapons. China also increased its military spending by 7% this year, stockpiling anti-satellite missiles and claiming to possess directed energy weapons that use concentrated energy beams to jam satellite signals. The U.S. Space Force and NASA did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
South China Morning Post
02-07-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
China could be about to attempt a landmark satellite refuelling test
China's first satellite-to-satellite refuelling test appears to be imminent after a second round of close-proximity operations between two probes in high orbit on Monday. The landmark Chinese mission will be one of the most ambitious attempts at autonomous satellite servicing in geostationary orbit, which rival the United States has yet to achieve. On Monday, the Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 spacecraft – both orbiting at an altitude of 35,786km (22,236 miles) above the equator – came within extremely close range after days of closing in on each other, according to Swiss space surveillance firm s2a Systems. The optical tracking image shows the two satellites nearly indistinguishable from each other, suggesting they may be about to attempt docking and potentially even conduct the refuelling and servicing test that is the primary mission of the Shijian-25. The two satellites had a similar encounter on June 13, when they reportedly came within 1km of each other before separating 90 minutes later. That manoeuvre could have been a rehearsal for docking, or an aborted attempt at docking, according to US-based space situational awareness software company COMSPOC. 11:05 Space race elevates Asia in new world order Space race elevates Asia in new world order The Shijian-25 was designed to test 'on-orbit refuelling and satellite life-extension technologies', Chinese state media reported when the probe was launched in January. It said the mission aimed to verify capabilities for maintaining and prolonging the operational lifespan of satellites already in orbit as a way to reduce costs, improve sustainability and to help address growing concerns over space debris.
Gizmodo
10-06-2025
- Science
- Gizmodo
China Set for Critical Orbital Refueling Test With 2 U.S. Satellites Watching Closely
Two Chinese satellites are about to rendezvous in geostationary orbit, docking with one another for an experimental demonstration that could extend the longevity of spacecraft. Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 performed a series of maneuvers this past weekend, reaching a close distance of just two degrees of longitude from one another on Monday, according to space situational awareness company COMSPOC. The pair are set to meet on Wednesday for a docking procedure for China's first on-orbit refueling test in geostationary orbit (GEO), acting like a space gas station to extend the lifespan of satellites. China's satellites aren't alone, however, as two U.S. surveillance spacecraft are lurking nearby to watch it all happen, with the Pentagon fearing the technology could represent a significant milestone in China's space ambitions. The two satellites were developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, a subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. Shijian-25 launched in January while Shijian-21 lifted off earlier in 2021. Around a year after its launch, Shijian-21 docked with a defunct Chinese satellite, the Beidou-2 G2 navigation satellite, and towed it to the graveyard orbit above GEO, SpaceNews reported at the time. Since then, Shijian-21 appeared to have run out of fuel—until it recently sprang back to life with maneuvers of its own to get closer to Shijian-25. It's likely the target of the in-orbit refueling test, in which Shijian-25 will attempt to transfer about 313 pounds (142 kilograms) of hydrazine to extend the satellite's life by eight years, according to Universe Today. The refueling test has raised concerns in the U.S. about China's growing space capabilities, prompting officials to closely monitor the situation. Two surveillance satellites, USA 270 and USA 271, part of the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program, performed maneuvers of their own to approach the vicinity of the Chinese satellites, according to COMSPOC. 'While these U.S. assets aren't directly involved, their proximity adds complexity to the local SSA picture — and raises strategic awareness concerns,' the company wrote on X. The U.S. has previously carried out in-orbit refueling tests of its own. In 2019, Northrop Grumman refueled a satellite in space to extend its lifespan by five years, becoming the first company to do so. The U.S. Space Force is also preparing its own set of orbital refueling tests, known as Tetra-5 and Tetra-6, using hardware from Northrop Grumman and other commercial suppliers. For now, the U.S. will stick to watching its space rival carry out the orbital maneuver from a safe distance.
