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China conducts In-orbit Refueling Test

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China Conducts Refueling Test in Geosync Orbit – by Frederic Eger, Publisher – Photo credit: AI generated – Video credit: CGTN – Two Chinese spacecraft, the Long March 3B rocket and the military space debris mitigation satellite Shijian-21, have recently met up 22,000 miles above Earth as part of a refueling demonstration mission. The two spacecraft were moving toward each other in geosynchronous orbit, around 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above the equator, according to observations from the ground. Optical tracking by space situational awareness firm s2a systems shows a close approach between the two on June 14, with the pair, at times, virtually unresolvable from the other. This suggests that Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 made at least a test-run close approach and may have even performed a docking and undocking test.

The test aims to demonstrate on-orbit refueling and mission extension capabilities, helping to improve the sustainability of space operations. Both spacecraft were developed by China’s state-owned Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST). SpaceNews also reported that U.S. surveillance spacecraft USA 270 and USA 271 were nearby, likely to observe the activity.

The U.S. has already tested life-extension services for satellites in geosynchronous orbit with its Mission Extension Vehicle-1 and Mission Extension Vehicle-2 spacecraft, while Tokyo-based company Astroscale aims to carry out its own complex refueling tests as soon as next year. The test aims to demonstrate on-orbit refueling and mission extension capabilities, helping to improve the sustainability of space operations.

China’s in-orbit refueling tech milestones:

April 2017: China’s Tianzhou-1 cargo spacecraft, docked with the Tiangong-2 space laboratory and successfully completed multiple in-orbit propellant refueling tests; demonstrating its autonomous in-orbit refueling and cargo transport capabilities, crucial for long-duration space missions and space station operations.

2025: China successfully refueled the Beidou G7 satellite at 30,000 km in geostationary orbit using the Shijian-25 satellite, marking the first in-orbit refueling in human space history. The Shijian-25 satellite, equipped with advanced autonomous navigation and a robotic arm, can perform multiple rescue missions with 1.3 tons of fuel onboard, extending the satellite’s operational life by eight years.
2021-2025: The Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) has developed two satellites, Shijian-25 and Shijian-21, which showcase China’s expertise in satellite servicing and space debris mitigation. Both satellites demonstrate the ability to tow defunct satellites from geosynchronous to higher “graveyard” orbits. 

China demonstrates its in-orbit refueling capabilities in geostationary orbit (~36,000 km above Earth) by:
– Docking and fuel transfer: In mid-June 2025, the satellites performed close approaches and likely docked, transferring 313 pounds (142 kg) of hydrazine to extend Shijian-21’s operational lifespan by eight years.
– Precision maneuvering: The mission showcased advanced autonomous navigation, with satellites aligning within two degrees of longitude in challenging geostationary conditions.
– Debris management: Shijian-21 previously towed defunct satellites to “graveyard orbits,” highlighting dual-use capabilities for refueling and debris mitigation.

Strategic Implications
This technology disrupts traditional space operations by:
– Extending satellite lifespans, reducing replacement costs and space debris.
– Enhancing military and commercial resilience: Refueling enables satellites to evade threats, reposition for optimal coverage, and sustain critical missions longer.
– Challenging U.S. dominance: The U.S. Space Force monitors these advances as “game-changing,” with China leveraging projects like the Belt and Road Initiative to expand space influence.


Future Trends.
China’s roadmap signals aggressive expansion:
Infrastructure scaling: Plans for a network of orbital refueling stations to service domestic and partner satellites.
Next-gen technologies: Research into autonomous “self-driving” satellites and standardized refueling interfaces to streamline operations.
Global competition: Accelerated testing to outpace rivals like Northrop Grumman (U.S.) and Astroscale (Japan), which plan similar services by 2026.
Military-civil fusion: Refueling capabilities will likely integrate with China’s reusable rockets and mega-constellations, boosting surveillance and navigation networks.
Challenges remain, including fuel-transfer safety, docking standardization, and geopolitical tensions. However, China’s state-backed programs (e.g., Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology) suggest sustained investment to lead in-space servicing by 2030.

— Frederic Eger.

About the Author.

Frederic Eger is an Israeli, Argentine and French independent journalist and filmmaker with almost three decades of experience in the media industries. He focuses on science, technology, space and global issues. Frederic holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the Sorbonne and a certificate in producing from UCLA. He is a member of the several organizations, among them the Moon Society, the Mars Society, Icarus Interstellar… Albert Einstein, Michio Kaku or Theodore Herzl are among his models.

 

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