Shijian-25 - CZ-3B - Xichang - January 6, 2025 (20:00 UTC)

[mikezang]

This is for CZ-3B from Xichang.

[mikezang]

The China NOTAM issued!

[TheKutKu]

Succesful launch of Shijian 25 at 20:00 UTC

https://www.chinanews.com.cn/gn/2025/01-07/10348561.shtml

At 04:00 Beijing time on January 7, 2025, my country successfully launched the Shijian 25 satellite at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center using the Long March 3B carrier rocket. The satellite successfully entered the predetermined orbit and the launch mission was a complete success. The satellite is mainly used for satellite fuel replenishment and life extension service technology verification. This mission is the 555th flight of the Long March series of carrier rockets.

[Alter Sachse]

LC 3

[Galactic Penguin SST]

https://twitter.com/Cosmic_Penguin/status/1876384675561869663

https://twitter.com/Cosmic_Penguin/status/1876464452801012005

[Galactic Penguin SST]

Shijian 25 may probably look like this spacecraft servicing satellite as displayed by SAST (announced as the satellite manufacturer) during the 2022 Zhuhai Airshow:

[Steven Pietrobon]

Looks like the G2 4.0 m diameter fairing is being used. SciNew video.

[Alter Sachse]

https://novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/articles/206570/

CZ-3B №Y104

[Alter Sachse]

Jan 13:
120.1E
10.21° 1437.64 min 35546x36088 km (celestrack)

[limen4]

... and it seems that SJ-25 is approaching to SJ-21. The target?

[Liss]

... and it seems that SJ-25 is approaching to SJ-21. The target?

As of now, SJ-25 seems to stop at 120E but you are correct -- SJ-21 is most probably the client for resupply.

[Alter Sachse]

Shijian 21 148.6E
Shijian 25 120.0E

[zubenelgenubi]

Cross-post

s2a systems @s2a_systems
Shijian-25 (OBJECT A) and the CZ-3B upper stage (OBJECT B) from launch 2025-002. Recorded, today 2025-01-07 at 02:03:35 UTC.

https://twitter.com/s2a_systems/status/1876461917918892072

[Liss]

Shijian 25 is about to meet and supply Shijian 21.

[john57sharp]

This meeting is reported as very close by https://spacenews.com/chinese-spacecraft-prepare-for-orbital-refueling-test-as-us-surveillance-sats-lurk-nearby/

[Phazzee]

Shijian-25 is now quite close, as it appears from ground tracks, to Shijian-21. The two satellites may station-keep near each other for a while before docking in suitable conditions.

https://x.com/s2a_systems/status/1933206063698108417
https://x.com/s2a_systems/status/1933487906007503208

[TheKutKu]

https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/07/china-jumps-ahead-in-the-race-to-achieve-a-new-kind-of-reuse-in-space/c

Shijian-25 & 21 have been in Merge Conditions since July 2nd

[JulesVerneATV]

China Has Attempted What Might Be the First-Ever Orbital Refueling of a Satellite

https://www.wired.com/story/china-jumps-ahead-in-the-race-to-achieve-a-new-kind-of-reuse-in-space/