7 Mar: China launched a Long March-3B with the TJS-15 (63157) (and another possible object, likely an apogee kick motor <63299>) from Xichang. According to official sources, the satellite has entered the planned orbit and will be “mainly used to verify multi-band and high-speed satellite communication technology”. After spending ~10 days in Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit, China conducted a circularization burn to place TJS-15 into Geostationary Orbit (GEO). TJS-15 is now at 90.3° E (due south of the Bay of Bengal) with a 0.0° inclination. Launch Video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eS9jkqstra4As is typical for TJS satellites, China has released little information regarding the satellite’s capabilities and mission.
Reporting from the Joint Commercial Operations cell noted, “The Yuan Wang 6 and Yuan Wang 7 telemetry tracking vessels were both be positioned in the Pacific Ocean to support this launch, suggesting it is of high importance.”
Per Andrew Jones: “The lack of details on the TJS-15 satellite is consistent with statements on earlier TJS missions. The series, which mostly operates in geostationary orbit (GEO), is seen by Western analysts as potentially carrying out classified missions including signals intelligence, early warning missions and satellite inspection activities to support the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).”
In the past 10 years China has launched 14 TJS satellites:
2015 (1): TJS-1 (suspected SIGINT)
2016 (0): No Launches
2017 (1): TJS-2 (suspected Missile Warning)
2018 (1): TJS-3 (suspected satellite inspection)
2019 (1): TJS-4 (suspected SIGINT)
2020 (1): TJS-5 (suspected Missile Warning)
2021 (3): TJS-6 (suspected Missile Warning), TJS-7 (Unknown), & TJS-9 (suspected SIGINT)
2022 (0): No Launches
2023 (1): TJS-10 (unknown)
2024 (3): TJS-11 (unknown), TJS-12 (unknown), TJS-13 (HEO, suspected Missile Warning)
2025 (2): TJS-14 (unknown), TJS-15 (unknown)
- The second object noted, is labelled the TJS-15 apogee kick motor (AKM), has not maneuvered and is safely orbiting nearly 400km above the GEO belt.
TJS-15 satellite patch: “King of the West and one who sees all” (@raz_liu via X).
TJS-15 launch patch (nasaspaceflight.com).
TJS-15 joins the TJS lineup; TJS-3 in GEO drift and TJS-13 in HEO are not shown (spaceaware.io).
