China May Be Attempting First In-Orbit Satellite Refueling

Chinese satellites may have attempted the first-ever in-orbit satellite refueling, according to two U.S. satellite tracking companies. The report was published by Breaking Defense.

A Chinese satellite believed to be designed for orbital refueling has maneuvered extremely close to another Chinese satellite, prompting analysts to suggest that a refueling operation may have already occurred — or is imminent.

Last week, Slingshot Aerospace observed the experimental SJ-25 satellite, reportedly intended for in-orbit servicing, approach another satellite, SJ-21.

However, ground-based telescopes were unable to verify a docking, and Slingshot concluded that the available evidence was “inconclusive.”

“If the docking did occur, the duration of the event would not exceed three hours,” a Slingshot spokesperson told Breaking Defense regarding the close approach on June 13.

COMSPOC, another space tracking company, confirmed that the satellites came within one kilometer of each other on June 13 and “may have docked.” Although they separated the following day, the two objects have begun to converge again, with the next closest approach expected on June 23. This could suggest a second attempt at docking.

“China’s Shijian satellites, designed for inspection and repair, are also demonstrating advanced rendezvous operations. While marketed as peaceful, they use dual-use technologies such as robotic arms and precision maneuvering. They could be adapted for anti-satellite missions and jamming,” a U.S. Space Force official told Breaking Defense on Tuesday.

In 2022, SJ-21 docked with a defunct Beidou navigation satellite and moved it from geosynchronous orbit to a graveyard orbit—an orbital region used for decommissioned satellites.

While China claims that SJ-21 is part of its space debris mitigation efforts, U.S. military officials have repeatedly warned that the technology could be repurposed for counter-space operations targeting American assets.

At the end of April, China launched the third batch of Guowang communications satellites, intended to rival the U.S.-backed Starlink system.

The Guowang launch was considered a milestone for China’s ambition to compete in persistent communications — both in military applications and the growing civilian satellite internet market, where Chinese ground terminals are gaining popularity.

The communications network is also strategically important for the Chinese military, as the country rapidly expands its use of unmanned systems, which require consistent data links for operation.