China launched two experimental satellites, Shijian-29A and Shijian-29B, on December 31 from Wenchang Space Launch Center to test space-based target detection technologies used to track orbiting objects.
The launch marked China's 92nd orbital mission of 2025, setting a national record and capping a year in which the country placed 322 satellites in orbit—a 22 percent increase over 2024.
The launch surge is driven largely by two megaconstellation projects, Guowang and Qianfan, which aim to deploy thousands of satellites to compete with SpaceX's Starlink network for global broadband coverage.
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