China may have achieved world-first in-orbit refueling before US

China appears to have achieved a historic milestone by successfully performing the world’s first in-orbit satellite refueling mission, potentially beating the United States to this technological breakthrough. Between June and early July 2025, two Chinese satellites, Shijian-21 and Shijian-25, conducted close proximity maneuvers and docked in geostationary orbit, with Shijian-25 reportedly refueling Shijian-21. This operation was tracked and confirmed by US-based COMSPOC and Swiss firm s2a systems through optical sensor data and satellite surveillance, although China’s space administration has not officially confirmed the success. The satellites operated at an altitude of approximately 35,786 km above the equator, with the refueling mission marking a significant advancement in orbital operations. The importance of this development lies in the critical role of in-orbit refueling technology for extending satellite lifespans and enabling more complex space missions, including human spaceflight. Shijian-21