China has launched the TJS-15 satellite, part of a classified series, into geosynchronous transfer orbit. This launch is the tenth of 2025, with further missions planned, including a Long March 8 rocket. The TJS series, initiated in 2015, supports advanced communication and military functionalities, yet details remain undisclosed. China’s space ambitions for this year include multiple notable missions and advancements in commercial space exploration.
China has successfully launched its latest classified satellite, the TJS-15, into geosynchronous transfer orbit using a Long March 3B rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center on March 9, 2025. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) announced the success shortly after liftoff, revealing the satellite’s payload as a communication technology experiment. However, details regarding the TJS-15 satellite remain sparse, adhering to the precedent set by previous TJS missions, with no images or technical specifications provided by CASC.
The TJS satellite series, initiated in 2015, presently includes 14 active satellites, with six having been deployed in the last 18 months. Notably, the TJS-14 satellite, which launched in January, now orbits at 18.3 degrees East near Africa. Analysts suggest that these satellites may engage in classified operations, including signals intelligence and military support activities for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Significant mechanisms of the TJS program involve a variety of orbits. For instance, TJS-13 entered a Molniya-like orbit, allowing it to maintain constant visibility over higher latitudes. This capability is vital for ensuring communication and conducting early warning monitoring in northern hemispheric territories. Operations involving TJS-3 also demonstrated the satellite’s ability to coordinate maneuvers with subsatellites, emphasizing the series’ advanced technological capabilities.
The TJS-15 launch marks China’s tenth orbital launch of 2025, with future missions expected, including a Long March 8 launch set for March 11. While details on the total number of launches planned by China in 2025 are forthcoming, previous goals aimed for around 100 missions for the year, a target that has not yet been met. Additionally, CASC plans to debut several new commercial rockets and significant missions, including the highly anticipated Tianwen-2 mission, aimed at returning samples from near-Earth asteroids.
Moreover, China has ongoing space endeavors planned for 2025. This includes the crewed Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21 missions to the Tiangong space station, each expected to last approximately six months. Furthermore, additional cargo spacecraft, including Tianzhou-9, are also set for launch, enhancing the operational capacity of the Tiangong space station.
In summary, the launch of TJS-15 underscores China’s commitment to expanding its classified satellite capabilities. The TJS series, continuing its development since 2015, likely plays a vital role in enhancing military and communication functionalities for the country’s strategic interests. With ambitious plans set for 2025, including a significant number of launches and new initiatives in commercial rocketry, China’s space program remains a central focus of its technological advancement.
Original Source: spacenews.com
