China’s ‘game-changer’ satellite refueling tech sparks US fears over space superiority

March 10, 2025

A Long March 3B carrier rocket carrying an experimental satellite blasts off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center on December 30, 2021 in Xichang, China. Liu Guoxing / VCG via Getty Images

By Sujita Sinha,
Published by Interesting Engineering, 10 March 2025

US Space Force officials worry China’s space stealth technology could challenge American dominance in the space race.

China is making rapid progress in space technology, raising concerns in the United States that the gap between the two countries is closing. A senior US Space Force official highlighted China’s latest achievements, particularly in satellite refueling.

China launched the Shijian-25 satellite in January, testing in-orbit refueling technology that can extend the life of spacecraft. State media confirmed this, though few details were disclosed.

Chief Master Sergeant Ron Lerch, deputy chief of space operations for intelligence, emphasized the significance of this milestone.

“The first time that [China] publicly disclosed a capability on orbit to do refueling and servicing and that’s a game-changing technology,” Lerch said at Chatham House, a London-based think tank.

The US has explored similar technology. In 2019, aerospace giant Northrop Grumman became the first company to refuel satellites, extending their operational lives by five years. NASA had a related project, but it was canceled last year due to technical issues, cost overruns, and delays.

Stealth technology and military expansion

Beyond refueling, China is developing advanced stealth technology that could alter the balance of power in space. Lerch warned about the risks associated with China’s rapid advancements.

“We see great risks right now because of the unprecedented growth [in China] as well as the unmanaged competition,” he said, as reported by South China Morning Post (SCMP).

He noted that Chinese researchers have published studies on super stealth capabilities in space, which could make satellites harder to detect and track. “That’s something we have to be concerned about – what type of capabilities are going to be on orbit in the not too distant future?” Lerch said.

China has significantly expanded its space program over the years, aiming to become a leading space power by 2050. In April 2023, China placed its aerospace force under the Central Military Commission, strengthening military control over space operations.

Meanwhile, the US Space Force was established by President Donald Trump, who described space as the “ultimate high ground.” Trump had also pledged to send humans back to the Moon and recently urged SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to “get the rockets going.”

Global influence and future competition

The United States currently operates over 8,000 satellites—12 times more than China. However, concerns remain about China’s growing influence in global space partnerships.

“Our biggest concern is [China] using their influence to gain a footing in certain countries,” Lerch said. He pointed to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a tool for expanding its presence in the space sector, SCMP reported.

“It’s clear that the Chinese want to use the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to champion themselves as the premier partner in space, especially for some nations that are wanting to stand up some type of

capability,” Lerch added. The BRI is China’s international infrastructure program, with over 150 participating countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America.

Furthermore, the key battlegrounds between China and the US will be reusable spacecraft and proliferated architect satellite networks. These networks involve clusters of smaller satellites rather than relying on a single large one, providing greater coverage and resilience.