China launches two experimental target detection satellites to orbit

China successfully launched two experimental satellites, Shijian 29A and 29B, on December 31, 2025, using a Long March 7A rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Center. These satellites are part of a technology demonstration mission to test new space-based target detection technologies. The launch marked China’s 92nd orbital mission of 2025 and the 623rd flight of the Long March rocket family, underscoring a record year for the nation’s space program. Shijian 29A was developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, while Shijian 29B was built by the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites, both subsidiaries of major Chinese aerospace organizations. The Shijian satellite series has a history of testing advanced space capabilities, including on-orbit refueling and towing maneuvers, as demonstrated by earlier satellites Shijian 21 and 25. Although China’s space administration remains secretive about the specifics of Sh