Special to CosmicTribune.com, January 8, 2025

Geostrategy-Direct

By Richard Fisher

For its first satellite launch for 2025, China decided to demonstrate the dual-use nature of its space program, by launching its Shi Jian (Experimental)-25 satellite, ostensibly to test satellite refueling, but which can also perfect satellite interception, capture and destruction skills for the new Aerospace Force of the People’s Liberation Army.

Early on Jan. 7 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC), China used a Long March-3B space launch vehicle to launch its SJ-25 satellite into a geosychronous orbit (GEO) around the Earth, an orbit used extensively by communication and surveillance satellites.

Launch of the SJ-25 was also noted in a Xinhua Chinese state media report, which stated:

“The satellite is primarily used for the verification of satellite fuel replenishment and life extension service technologies, according to the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, the Shijian-25’s developer.”

By practicing satellite refueling in space, China’s Aerospace Force, which likely controls all of China’s space programs, can also develop the technology to allow much larger space craft, like China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) Long March-9 reusable super heavy space launch vehicle, to also refuel in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) — similar to the U.S. SpaceX Starship that it closely resembles.

But as seen in a model of the SJ-25 revealed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) at the 2021 Zhuhai Airshow, this satellite is equipped with two grappling arms to capture the satellite to be refueled.

But consistent with the “dual use” nature of China’s space program, the SJ-25 can also form the basis for larger grappling satellites that can maneuver and capture, throw out of orbit, or destroy enemy satellites.

It should be recalled that on Jan. 11, 2007, China’s first kinetic anti-satellite (ASAT) intercept-destruction of an old weather satellite was carried out from XSLC in front of a large audience of Chinese military and political leaders.

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  China starts 2025 with launch of dual-use interceptor-refueling satellite