The People’s Liberation Army has been working extensively on technologies and training tools for refueling orbiting satellites in both peacetime and wartime. According to a report published by China Aerospace, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is already using lessons learned from military doctrine and training tools, and the defense contractor has already demonstrated what it calls a space-based fuel tanker in Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO).

The report underscores the PLA’s strategic focus on strengthening orbital logistics capabilities and integrating commercial enterprises into the space sector. These developments have potential impacts on the norms of international space operations and should motivate the U.S. Space Force to take action to achieve similar capability and readiness.

The report details the PLA’s work since 2018 to develop a computer simulation program to train operators of military space-based refueling satellites. This software is designed to simulate the space environment and service orbiting satellites for training, evaluation and technology testing purposes.

Discussions of in-orbit satellite refueling and debris removal have been included in PLA textbooks since 2013; This signals an effort to normalize these missions within PLA operations and influence international norms for space operations.

The Shanghai Academy of Space Flight Technology (SAST) has been demonstrating satellite refueling spacecraft since 2018. He successfully demonstrated his talents with Shijian-21 in late 2021 and early 2022. During this mission, the spacecraft docked with the defunct Beidou GNSS satellite at GEO and delivered it into a higher, so-called graveyard orbit.

The report suggests that these capabilities could help the PLA support orbital space operations in wartime; This event is considered forgotten compared to the much discussed, less likely surprise event such as collision with satellites. He also points out the role of commercial actors.

“With greater clarity on the PLA’s satellite logistics requirements, the Communist Party of China (CCP) has approved the entry of new commercial players into the field to provide the framework to shape not only the technology but also international norms,” ​​the report said. The statement was included.

The report states that commercial companies are already actively working in this field. A firm called Intersteller Walk has signed a launch agreement with Beijing-based launch service provider iSpace for a mission to demonstrate its proprietary docking technology using a satellite equipped with two robotic arms. However, this launch of the Hyperbola-1 solid rocket failed in February 2021.

This development shows that interest and investment in orbital maintenance has increased in China, with the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology including orbital maintenance in its technology development plans since 2016. According to the report, Intersteller Walk is likely one of the few companies exploring this area.

The report states that the US intelligence community is aware of China’s advancement in orbital servicing capabilities that could also potentially serve as counterspace weapons. It also suggests that the U.S. Space Force should actively engage in orbital maintenance training to improve readiness, rather than waiting to develop its own maintenance equipment.

In the report Space News The Space Force logistics chief stated that the culture of military satellite operators for 2021 has not yet caught up with the technology. Earlier this month, NASA canceled the multibillion-dollar On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly and Production (OSAM) 1 mission due to significant delays and cost overruns.

The report noted that while China’s achievements in orbit maintenance have gone largely unnoticed, perhaps too much attention has been paid to an unexpected satellite collision event.