On the 7th January 2025 schedule to launch CNSA _China National Space Administration -China – People’s Republic of China 0400 Hours Hong Kong –Beijing Time China- People’s Republic of China…. at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Sichuan Province of the Xichang Launch Center, the Long March 3B carrier rocket was launched, sending This morning, China successfully launched the Shijian 25 satellite into space using the Long March 3B carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The satellite entered the planned orbit smoothly and the launch mission was a complete success. The satellite is mainly used for satellite fuel replenishment and life extension service technology verification..
At 04:00 on January 7, the Long March 3B carrier rocket ignited and took off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, and then sent the Practice 25 satellite into its predetermined orbit. This marked a “good start” for China’s space launch mission in 2025.
The Long March 3B rocket, Long March 3A rocket and Long March 3C rocket together constitute the Long March 3A series of rockets, which are developed by the First Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The Practice 25 satellite is developed by the Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
This year, the Long March 3A series of rockets are expected to carry out more than 10 launch missions. The rocket team will continue to improve the rocket’s mission adaptability by promoting de-missionized batch production, cross-parallel working mode, and tightening quality control.
Since August last year, the First Academy has tried to use a professional test and launch team to participate in the Long March 3 series of launch missions, promoting the transformation of the rocket test and launch model from a scientific research model to a professional model, thereby optimizing personnel allocation and freeing up the designer team. After nearly half a year of internship training, 9 positions in the first phase of this launch mission have been taken over, and the optimization of the professional test and launch model will continue to be promoted in the future.
The Shijian No. 25 refueling service aircraft was developed by the Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. It is used for satellite fuel replenishment and life extension services, and provides sufficient energy guarantee for the long-term operation of satellites in orbit. It can carry 1.3 tons of fuel at a time, accounting for 52% of its own weight.
When the refueling service aircraft receives a distress signal from a fuel-shortage satellite, it will, under the guidance of the ground dispatch system and with the help of its front-end navigation system, achieve “automatic driving and door-to-door service.” After arriving near the satellite, the aircraft uses the navigation system to autonomously track and approach the satellite. When the aircraft is within about 2 meters of the satellite, it will cooperate with the robotic arm to achieve precise docking with the satellite’s fuel refueling port, establish a fuel transfer path, and smoothly carry out “space refueling.
During the mission, the launch site test team of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation adhered to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implemented the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and implemented the spirit of the Ninth Working Conference of the Group Corporation. At the same time, it gave full play to the political function of the party organization, guided the test team members to improve their political stance, bear in mind their mission and responsibilities, and made every effort to ensure the complete success of the launch mission.
This launch is the 555th launch of the Long March series of launch vehicles.
Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned SpaceCNSA-China National Space Administration
