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Issue 104

06 Flash Archive · Members Only

Concerns Grow Over Chinese Space Maneuvering Capability

22 Aug: Based on insights provided by Exoanalytics, Aviation Week Senior Editor Guy Norris published an article discussing China's growing expertise in satellite maneuver, particularly in Geostationary Orbit (GEO). China appears to be less concerned with fuel usage and willing to simply replace GEO satellites when they…

Author Greg Gillinger Published July 25, 2025

22 Aug: Based on insights provided by Exoanalytics, Aviation Week Senior Editor Guy Norris published an article discussing China’s growing expertise in satellite maneuver, particularly in Geostationary Orbit (GEO). China appears to be less concerned with fuel usage and willing to simply replace GEO satellites when they exhaust their fuel supply. Article excerpts below.

– Recent Chinese spacecraft maneuvers…show increasing capability in key areas of control for counter inspection, co-orbital anti-satellite weapons and other potential threats.

– U.S. space defense leaders continue to warn of the rapid growth of China’s military assets in geostationary Earth orbit (GEO). “They’re getting better. They’re getting more comfortable,” said Rhett Butler, vice president of ExoAnalytic’s National Security Space Sector. Describing China as “the most active adversary we have today,” he added that “they are actively practicing counterspace techniques and showing that technology.”

– Anomalous acceleration by TJS-2 (41911), a Chinese signals intelligence (SIGINT) and early warning satellite, indicates growing strength in depth and a willingness to practice rapid maneuvers regardless of excessive fuel usage.

-“We noticed it would do some huge maneuvers at different points in time, maneuvers that were kind of unexpected,” Butler said. ExoAnalytic’s network tracked TJS-2 maneuvering at 44 m/sec, compared with more standard repositioning maneuver speeds of around 0.5-1 m/s.

– The implication is that “fuel is not a problem,” Butler said. In practice, this means China’s policy is based on frequent replacement of on-orbit


assets rather than the U.S. military’s preferred concept

of life extension.

– This was demonstrated earlier this year when a U.S. space surveillance satellite was tasked with inspecting TJS-4, a suspected SIGINT satellite launched in 2019. The US satellite’s pass was designed to give it a Sun advantage and a long dwell time right over TJS-4, but “unfortunately, it didn’t go down that way,” Butler said. Instead, the Chinese spacecraft used similar maneuvers to those seen being practiced earlier with other vehicles. “All of a sudden, we’re not in phase anymore. We don’t have that beautiful Sun angle pass. It will actually be shorter now, right over the top, and the Sun will be at their back.”

– SJ-23, a Chinese satellite launched in January 2023…is believed to be capable of rendezvous proximity operations, including close inspection and towing of other satellites with a grappling arm. Following the second injection burn, it soon became obvious that the intended orbital slot was in a location already occupied by USA 270…Observers watched as SJ23 took aim at USA 270. “It was coming in hard,” Butler said. “And it looked like it was going to hit the same spot at the same time, [but] then they did a last burn and they threw the brakes on.”