China's military satellite constellation and its capabilities
In recent decades, China has been actively developing its military and dual-use satellite constellation. During this time, hundreds of spacecraft of various classes have been launched into orbit, and a significant portion of them remain in operation and serve various missions. In terms of the size of its satellite constellation and its capabilities, China can already compete with global leaders in this field.
Space potential
In April 2024, the People's Liberation Army of China established the Aerospace Force (ASF). It was formed from the structure of the Space Forces, which was removed from the Strategic Support Forces. The new ASF now reports directly to the General Staff.
The ACS's mission is to create, maintain, and operate a constellation of military spacecraft. To this end, they maintain a number of spaceports and associated production facilities, command posts, and a robust infrastructure. All existing satellites and prospective projects have also been transferred to the new branch of the armed forces.
According to foreign sources, the PLAAF currently has at least 250-260 satellites of various types and purposes. They are deployed in various orbits, from low-Earth to geostationary. They are used for navigation and communications, as well as for various types of reconnaissance.
Information on the launch of new satellites is regularly released. This maintains the number and operational capability of existing constellations, while also enabling new capabilities. As a result of these two processes, the total number of spacecraft in orbit is steadily increasing.
It's worth noting that the ACS isn't the only country with remote sensing satellites suitable for reconnaissance and detection of various objects. Non-governmental space operators have already emerged in China. They provide satellite imaging services on a commercial basis. If necessary, the PLA can also make use of their equipment.
A model of the BeiDou-3 navigation satellite. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Satellites in orbit
The PLA's satellite constellation is quite extensive and includes satellites for various purposes. They are used to accomplish various "strategic support" tasks for the army.
Thus, BeiDou Navigation System satellites of various modifications are located in several orbits, including geostationary orbit. There is a core constellation of 35 satellites, ensuring overall operational capability, along with approximately 10 additional satellites that improve accuracy. New satellites are launched regularly to maintain operational capability, with a gradual transition to satellites of new modifications.
The army's satellite communications system is based on 10-12 satellites of the Shengtong and Fenghuo series. They cover the entire Asia-Pacific region and adjacent areas. There are fragmentary reports of a gradual expansion of coverage areas and modernization of the satellite constellation.
In 2015, the Tongxin Jishu Shiyan system, the space-based element of the missile attack warning system, began combat duty. It currently comprises at least 15-20 satellites of the Qianshao, Huoyang, and TJS types. They are believed to monitor the positioning areas of US missile units.
The largest constellation is the reconnaissance satellite constellation. According to various estimates, it comprises at least 180-200 devices of various types. These satellites perform optical, radar, and electronic reconnaissance, differing in their characteristics and overall capabilities. These reconnaissance satellites are believed to be capable of operating over potential enemy territory.
Like other countries, China is pursuing inspector satellites. It is believed that up to three to five such devices are currently in various orbits. They have performed complex maneuvers and approached satellites belonging to third countries. Abroad, the most ambitious theories regarding the capabilities and purposes of such technology are being developed.
The Chinese satellite Shijian-26 as seen by the American WorldView Legion satellite, June 2025. Photo by Maxar Technologies.
For obvious reasons, detailed information about the technical features, characteristics, and capabilities of the majority of the PLAAF's satellites is lacking. There are only various estimates and assumptions, which may be far from reality. The only exception is the BeiDou navigation system, which is available to the general public—but even here, there are some nuances.
Commercial group
China's commercial space industry is developing. In 2014, Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co., Ltd. launched its operations with the goal of creating a large constellation of Earth remote sensing satellites. It has now successfully completed this task and continues to develop its constellation.
Chang Guang independently developed the Jilin-1 optical reconnaissance satellite and established mass production. Currently, over a hundred of these satellites are in orbit. They can change orbits to capture images of specific areas of the planet at the request of various customers. The company cites the high speed of this system and the quality of the resulting images.
Chang Guang Satellite Technology's services are used by various Chinese and international organizations. For example, the satellites have imaged agricultural land in several Chinese provinces. This "reconnaissance" data has helped improve work planning and key performance indicators.
Recently, one of the Jilin-1 satellites demonstrated its capabilities in an unusual way. In early September, it approached within 40 kilometers of the American WorldView Legion satellite, owned by Maxar, and took photographs. The operator soon published high-quality photographs of the foreign satellite. In this way, the Chinese satellite demonstrated its ability to maneuver and photograph complex targets.
It's worth noting that this operation was a response to a similar survey by an American company. As a reminder, in early June, Maxar's Legion satellite captured images of the Chinese satellite Shijian-26 from a distance of 30 km with a relatively high resolution.
Space Defense
It's worth noting that China also has the means to counter third-party space constellations. Several different classes of counter-space defense systems are known, each with distinct capabilities.
Shijian-26 from a different angle. Photo by Maxar Technologies
In early 2007, the PLA tested a promising missile system of an unknown type. It launched an interceptor missile at a disabled weather satellite. The target was hit at an altitude of approximately 865 km and traveling at high speed. All details of this test, including the type of air defense system, remain unknown.
China has developed and commissioned several inspector satellites. The exact specifications and capabilities of these technologies, for obvious reasons, are not disclosed. Consequently, some foreign scientists have speculated wildly that these satellites could not only monitor foreign satellites but also attack or destroy them.
In early September 2025, the PLA unveiled the new Hongqi-29 air defense system for the first time. The system's launcher carries two large missiles, the size of which suggests unique flight characteristics. They are believed to be capable of intercepting ballistic targets in the exoatmospheric portion of their trajectory, as well as striking orbital objects.
Given the particular complexity and importance of this topic, it can be assumed that not all of China's counterspace defense developments have been publicized. New technology projects may be underway that have not yet been tested or publicly reported.
Full complex
Thus, over the course of several decades, China has been able to build a full-scale satellite constellation with broad capabilities. High quantitative and qualitative indicators have been achieved. Meanwhile, the constellation's development continues, yielding new results.
Thus, the PLAAF has built one of the largest force groups in the world. In terms of sheer numbers, only the US Space Force can match it. It's also worth remembering the existence of commercial operators whose equipment can also be used for the armed forces.
A photo of an American satellite taken by China's Jilin-1 spacecraft, September 2025. Photo by Chang Guang Satellite Technology.
Currently, the primary mission of the space group is to support the PLA's operations and accomplish all planned missions. The introduction of various satellite technologies in recent decades has significantly improved the military's capabilities in various ways.
For example, the Beidou system has now become the army's primary navigation tool. It allows combat vehicles and units to pinpoint their locations with high accuracy and has also simplified various calculations. Unless otherwise limited, satellite navigation positively impacts the capabilities of all troops and units.
The PLA has a wide range of communications and data transmission systems. Satellite communications systems, in particular, have become widely used. They allow for the creation of channels of any length and maintain contact with units virtually anywhere on the planet. These capabilities are particularly important in implementing plans to expand the PLA's presence in various regions.
Satellite reconnaissance is of great importance. Using such devices, the PLA can conduct timely optical or radar surveys of desired areas or identify electromagnetic wave sources. Such intelligence can be used at the tactical level for planning limited-scale operations, as well as for strategic nuclear forces.
In particular, satellites are the primary means of searching for high-value enemy targets intended to be used as strategic weapons targets. They are used to study relevant territories and determine target coordinates.
In turn, electronic reconnaissance spacecraft make a decisive contribution to tracking the naval activities of a potential adversary. Using communications signals or radar, they determine the location of ships, submarines, and formations. This information is then used by other components of the armed forces responsible for combating enemy forces. fleet.
WorldView Legion from a different angle, allowing you to appreciate the quality of the footage. Photo by Chang Guang Satellite Technology
Of great interest is the concept of inspector satellites. These devices are capable of active maneuvering, making them capable of monitoring other spacecraft. They are designed to approach target objects and conduct surveillance or actively influence them. In theory, an inspector satellite could perform combat missions and destroy enemy spacecraft.
The known information about Chinese inspector satellites looks curious in light of the latest NewsIt turns out that not only specialized military spacecraft, but also commercial ones, can actively maneuver and study foreign technology. Clearly, AKS satellites must surpass civilian technology in their characteristics and capabilities.
Despite all this, the PLA, through its ACS and missile defense units, has the capability to counter enemy satellite constellations. At least one such system has been tested and demonstrated the ability to destroy an orbital target. Other systems have likely been tested, but the results of these trials are currently under wraps.
Space power
Over the course of several decades, China has built a fully-fledged space constellation, equipped with satellites of various classes and for various purposes. The existing satellites, in various orbits, perform a wide range of tasks, from navigation to countering enemy satellites.
The bulk of the PLA's satellite constellation performs support functions—providing communications, navigation, intelligence, and so on. However, even in this role, it has a significant impact on the overall capabilities and potential of the armed forces. Clearly, the development of space forces will continue, leading to improvements to existing capabilities and the emergence of new ones.
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