By demonstrating an on-orbit refueling capability, the Chinese are extending the reach and longevity of their dangerous co-orbital satellites.
Private space trackers have detected a bizarre movement of Chinese satellites in geosynchronous orbit (GEO), the farthest orbit above the Earth. Speculation in the space community has been rampant, but the majority view—though unconfirmed—is that the Chinese have achieved a stunning feat. Most experts believe that private space monitoring firms tracked and photographed one Chinese satellite in GEO refueling another satellite, marking a world first.
This is a significant event, even though it has gotten very little coverage outside of a few trade publications. According to Theresa Hitchens of Breaking Defense, analysts from Slingshot Aerospace “watched China’s experimental SJ-25, which Beijing launched in January and has said publicly was meant for refueling missions, approach another satellite, SJ-21.” (SJ stands for Shijian, a series of Chinese-built satellites in high orbit.) From there, it appeared that the two satellites conducted a crucial and never-before-tried mid-orbit refueling.
Why Is On-Orbit Refueling So Important?
If the story is proven, then the Chinese will have demonstrated a significant capability that would only add to their lethality in space. And they will have done so at a time when the United States Space Force has failed to achieve similar results, despite having investigated the necessary capability for years. It would be yet another failure on the part of a Space Force bureaucracy lacking in imagination and consistently averse to real innovation.
Co-orbital satellites are satellites that can tailgate and, when ordered, interfere with the normal operations of other nearby satellites. Both the Russians and Chinese have pioneered these systems. They are a form of ant-satellite (ASAT) weapon. These systems could potentially destroy, or even hack, nearby American satellites.
By demonstrating an on-orbit refueling capability, the Chinese are extending the reach and longevity of their co-orbital satellites.
Shijian-21 has demonstrated a remarkable capability to tow other satellites was demonstrated in 2022, when it towed a derelict satellite into what’s known as a “graveyard orbit.” Beijing insisted this was an above-board operation. But many in the Pentagon understood fully what China was preparing for with that move.
By having on-orbit refueling capabilities, China is ensuring its Shijian satellites have expanded range and staying power. What’s more, the satellites in question being in geosynchronous orbit is key. That’s because the Americans maintain a large number of satellite constellations that are essential for US national security. There are several important American systems up there—ranging from nuclear command, control, and communication (NC3) satellites to vital naval communications systems, as well as the Wideband Global Satcom (WGS).
If China used their SJ series satellites to destroy or disrupt the basic functions of the nearby American systems in GEO, they would have significant advantages over US forces on Earth.
Interestingly, the US Space Force has dismissed the notion of creating an on-orbit refueling capability for itself. While the Space Force has funded a series of on-orbit refueling experiments, all have failed to achieve their desired results.
What’s more, Space Force leaders argue that on-orbit refueling for their satellites is not a near-term mission objective. It’s just another example of the dangerous ambivalence US leaders have about the threat posed by China to our advanced satellite capabilities.
China Is Ready for a Space War. Is America?
China, meanwhile, is full speed ahead with their on-orbit experiments. That’s because there is a doctrinal understanding among China’s military leaders that they must attack the weakest avenue to lay the groundwork for what Chinese elites hope will be the birth of a new world order—with themselves at the center.
The on-orbit refueling story may be small compared to the very big news coming out of the Mideast. Nevertheless, if China is allowed to monopolize this capability, it will signal a significant leap forward in Chinese space capabilities. That, in turn, will enhance China’s lethality—and their willingness to use it against the rest of the world.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / NicoElNino.
