Official announcements from the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology or Chinese space agencies

China Kicks Off 2025 with 555th Long March Launch, Deploys Shijian-25 for Orbital Refueling Tests

Jan 7, 2025, 01:02 AM

China successfully launched its first space mission of 2025 with the deployment of the Shijian-25 satellite. The launch took place at 4:00 a.m. Beijing Time on January 7, 2025, from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern Sichuan Province, using a Long March-3B rocket. The Shijian-25 satellite is designed to test technologies for satellite fuel replenishment and life extension services, marking a step forward in China's capabilities for on-orbit servicing. The mission also represents the 555th launch of the Long March rocket series. The satellite, developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, was placed into a geostationary transfer orbit. This launch, which kicked off China's 2025 space activities, highlights China's focus on advancing space sustainability and efficiency. While no images of the satellite were disclosed, the mission's dual-purpose potential has drawn attention.