China has a mystery space plane, similar to the US shuttle. Rockets into orbit, lands as a plane.
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China appears to pull off satellite feat that NASA has never achieved
Two remote-controlled Chinese satellites appear to have docked in high orbit to allow refueling and servicing for the first time.
The achievement, which has yet to be matched by the U.S, involved autonomous spacecraft Shijian-21 and Shijian-25, completing the task in geostationary orbit earlier this month.
Geostationary orbits occur at 22,236 miles above the surface, and are typically used for communications satellites so that they can move with the rotation of the Earth. However, the high orbit and need for satellites to maintain speeds with the Earth's rotation makes docking extremely difficult.
The event, not so far confirmed by China, was reported after optical sensor data suggested the satellites "appeared visually merged" between July 2 and July 6, according to space situational awareness provider COMSPOC, based in the U.S.
Newsweek contacted NASA and the China National Space Administration for more information on the situation via email.
Why It Matters
If confirmed, China's achievement would highlight major advancements in space servicing capabilities—an area long pursued by global space agencies. Refueling satellites during flight extends their operational life span and reduces space debris, benefits considered critical for maintaining sustainable long-term operations in ever-more-crowded orbital pathways.NASA has previously achieved autonomous docking and fuel transfer in low Earth orbit with the 2007 DARPA Orbital Express mission, but has not managed the process in the higher, more challenging geostationary orbit in which the Shijian mission occurred.
What To Know
The close-proximity operations were observed alongside two American military surveillance satellites stationed nearby to monitor the historic maneuver.The operation involved carefully coordinated movements as Shijian-25 approached and maneuvered near Shijian-21 throughout June and early July, culminating in the period when they appeared to converge, according to U.S. and Swiss tracking sources.
Tracking from COMSPOC and other space surveillance organizations indicated the following sequence: Shijian-25, which launched earlier in 2025 to test mission-extension technologies, moved steadily toward Shijian-21 starting in early June.
The two achieved a close approach on June 13 before temporarily separating 90 minutes later. Another round of close-proximity operations took place on June 30, observed from Earth by optical tracking firm s2a Systems in Switzerland.
During these maneuvers, the satellites orbited at over 22,000 miles above the equator, firmly in geostationary territory.
Shijian-25's mission reportedly aimed to use robotic arms to latch onto Shijian-21 and replenish its fuel, enabling extended mission life.
Shijian-21 had previously depleted much of its fuel in 2022 while towing a defunct BeiDou navigation satellite into a higher, inactive "graveyard" orbit, thus contributing to debris reduction.
What People Are Saying
Swiss optical tracking firm s2a Systems said on July 2: "After a day with small but relatively constant distance yesterday, the two objects came closer again today and can no longer be separated by our instrument since about 11:00 UTC (7 p.m. Beijing time)"What Happens Next
Further confirmation of the suspected refueling and on-orbit servicing between Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 will depend on statements from Chinese authorities or future international tracking analysis.
Ronald Nolette
Well-Known Member
If it is as good as the rest of their military equipment, we can still sleep well at night.
china has no access to the very sophisticated chips needed to create such a highly technological space plane.
pandaflower
Well-Known Member
China has many irons in the fire. Including a weather machine that surpasses that of the U.S.
We think China is an allie because we are trade partners. However,the truth is China believes their culture is superior to all others anywhere. They use people and alignment with other countries,like in trade deals, because it serves them.
Right now China is the foremost holder of America's properties.
Their monies,shell companies,fund mortgages.
Their shell companies are what sponsor TV commercials advertising they will purchase homes as is. It isn't the house. It's the land.
Trump has authorized Nvidia to sell it's AI chips to China again.
It is a 50 billion dollar market for Nvidia.
One of the reasons is Trump wants US technologies to remain competitive, and restricting US AI chips to China accelerates their own AI chips development which would then compete in other world markets against US chip companies. And the US wants to remain the dominant player in AI technologies. Definitely the right call.
Nvidia (NVDA) stock jumps to record highs on news that the chipmaker has received assurances from the US government that it will be able to sell its H20 chips in China.
New Street Research technology infrastructure analyst Antoine Chkaiban explains how if the company can sell the chip on the Chinese market, it would eliminate a multibillion-dollar headwind for the chipmaker.
It is a 50 billion dollar market for Nvidia.
One of the reasons is Trump wants US technologies to remain competitive, and restricting US AI chips to China accelerates their own AI chips development which would then compete in other world markets against US chip companies. And the US wants to remain the dominant player in AI technologies. Definitely the right call.
Nvidia (NVDA) stock jumps to record highs on news that the chipmaker has received assurances from the US government that it will be able to sell its H20 chips in China.
New Street Research technology infrastructure analyst Antoine Chkaiban explains how if the company can sell the chip on the Chinese market, it would eliminate a multibillion-dollar headwind for the chipmaker.
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