China has achieved a highly successful year in space launches in 2025, with 54 successful launches out of 53 attempts, likely surpassing the previous record of 68 launches set in 2024, and continues to push forward with new missions, including a static fire test of the Long March 10 moon rocket.

On September 16, 2025, China launched the Yaogan 45 remote-sensing satellite into orbit using a Long March 7A rocket from Wenchang Space Launch Center, marking its 52nd orbital launch of the year.

The Long March 7A rocket, capable of carrying over 8,000 kg to medium orbits, launched Yaogan-45 into a higher-than-usual orbit, which is a first for this mission type, indicating increased versatility.

Yaogan-45, developed by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology under CASC, is believed to be part of China’s military reconnaissance series, used for scientific, land survey, crop estimation, and disaster relief purposes, and is set to operate in a higher orbit than typical Yaogan satellites.

This satellite joins other Yaogan series satellites, such as Yaogan-41 launched in December 2023, which operate in higher orbits, contrasting with the usual low Earth or sun-synchronous orbits of the series.

Prior to the Yaogan-45 launch, China launched 11 satellites for the Geesatcom constellation using a Jielong-3 solid propellant rocket, expanding its satellite IoT, inter-satellite communication, and high-precision navigation capabilities for various sectors.

The Geesatcom project aims to develop centimeter-level high-precision positioning for navigation-assisted driving, with additional launches planned, including a Jielong-3 sea launch scheduled for September 21, 2025.

China's satellite fleet also includes Yaogan-40 satellites, launched in September 2025, which are intended for electromagnetic environment detection and related technical tests, often involving radio frequency monitoring, geolocation, optical imaging, SAR, and ELINT.

The Yaogan-40 satellites are likely in near-polar, 850-kilometer-altitude orbits with an inclination of 86 degrees, and previous groups have formed equilateral triangle formations for their operations.

In addition to these launches, China continues its active launch schedule with missions involving Long March 3C and Ceres-1 rockets, including planned launches from sea and land, demonstrating a robust and diverse space program.

Overall, China’s space program in 2025 reflects a significant increase in launch activity, technological advancements, and strategic satellite deployments, with the Yaogan-45 mission exemplifying its expanding capabilities in high-orbit reconnaissance and scientific research.