China conducts In-orbit Refueling Test

Two Chinese spacecraft, the Shijian-21 and Shijian-25, have recently met up 22,000 miles above Earth as part of a refueling demonstration mission. The spacecraft were developed by China’s state-owned Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST). The test aims to demonstrate on-orbit refueling and mission extension capabilities, helping to improve the sustainability of space operations. The US and Tokyo-based Astroscale are likely to observe the activity, and the US has already tested life-extension services for satellites in geosynchronous orbit.

• 22
• 236 Miles
• Astroscale
• Chinese Spacecraft
• Close Approach
• Complex Refueling Tests
• Docking Test
• Geosynchronous Orbit
• Life-Extension Services
• Long March 3B
• Military Space Debris Mitigation
• Mission Extension Capabilities
• Mission Extension Vehicle-1
• Mission Extension Vehicle-2
• On-Orbit Refueling
• Orbital Maneuvering
• Refueling Demonstration Mission
• s2a Systems
• Satellite Sustainability
• Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST)
• Shijian-21
• Space Exploration
• Space Operations
• Space Situational Awareness
• Space technology
• Sustainability of Space Operations
• U.S. Surveillance Spacecraft
• Undocking Test
• USA 270
• USA 271