On March 29th, China launched the TJS-16 classified satellite, continuing its series of experimental space missions. A Long March 7A rocket lifted off from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center at 12:05 p.m. Eastern (1605 UTC), successfully deploying the payload, identified as the Tongxin Jishu Shiyan-16 (TJS-16) communication technology experiment satellite.
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) announced the launch's success approximately an hour after liftoff. CASC described TJS-16 as primarily designed to test multi-band and high-speed satellite communication technology. Consistent with previous TJS launches, neither images nor detailed technical specifications were released. The satellite was developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), a key division of CASC.
SAST echoed the concise description provided by CASC and included a mission patch in its announcement. The TJS series predominantly operates in geostationary orbit (GEO). Western analysts believe these missions might include classified operations such as signals intelligence, early warning systems, and satellite inspection activities in support of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). This launch brings the number of main TJS satellites in orbit to 15, with a notable absence of a TJS-8 satellite.
The TJS-16 launch follows the March 9th launch of TJS-15 from Xichang, using a Long March 3B rocket, with a similarly brief description of its objectives. TJS-15 has since reached the geostationary belt. U.S. Space Force tracking has also registered an AKM (apogee kick motor) associated with the launch, commonly used for the final orbital insertion impulse into GEO. This object is currently orbiting a few hundred kilometers above the GEO belt, a typical position for a spent AKM.
However, orbital data reveals minor adjustments to the AKM's orbit, hinting at low-thrust propulsion capabilities. This situation mirrors the TJS-3 mission from 2018, which also had an apparent AKM that performed subsequent maneuvers synchronized with the main satellite, demonstrating behavior inconsistent with a standard AKM. That mission generated significant analyst interest due to its potential intelligence implications. Saturday's launch marked the ninth flight of the Long March 7A rocket, a three-stage variant of the Long March 7 used for cargo delivery to the Tiangong space station.
The Long March 7A, a 60.1-meter-long, 3.35-meter-diameter kerosene and liquid oxygen launch vehicle, boasts four side boosters and YF-100 engines. With a payload capacity to GTO of up to 7 metric tons and a fairing diameter of 4.2 meters, it is seen as a potential replacement for the Long March 3B. Despite its potential, it has yet to exceed two launches per year. The TJS-16 mission was China's 16th orbital launch of 2025, following the March 26th launch of the Tianlian-2 (04) data relay satellite. With growing commercial space activity and megaconstellation projects, China may be aiming for 100 or more launches in 2025, further spurred by new launcher developments.