Dragon in Space - The Chinese space program, past and present

Dongfanghong 4

Dongfanghong 4 is China’s third-generation geostationary communications satellite, and one of the most sophisticated and advanced Chinese satellites ever developed. Intended for both commercial and military users, the Dongfannghong 4 provides a high-capacity, long-endurance communications satellite comparable in performance to the Lockheed Martin A2100AX and Space Systems/Loral FS1300. The spacecraft can also be used as a satellite bus for other purposes such as data relay, navigation and positioning, and deep space exploration.

Programme

The satellite was designed and built by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST). European aerospace company Alcatel Alenia also provided some technological assistance to the development. Preliminary research on the third-generation communications satellite began in 2000, and the Dongfanghong 4 programme was approved in 2001. Engineering development of the first satellite SINOSAT 2 began in 2003 and the first launch took place in October 2006.

Dongfanghong 4 has been actively marketed to the international market as a low-cost alternative to those offered by the United States, Europe, and Russia. China has been targeting the developing countries in Asia, Africa and South America to offer them an all-inclusive package that would include satellite design and fabrication, the launch of the satellite onboard a Chinese rocket from a Chinese launch site. The package could also include the construction of ground segment facilities, the training of local personnel, and the financing of the programme costs.

The Satellite

The Dongfanghong 4 is a three-axis stabilised spacecraft, with a designed lifespan of 15 years. The satellite weighs 5,100~5,400kg at launch and can carry 600~800kg payload and 3,100kg fuel. The satellite consists of mission payload and service section. It is fitted with two unfolded solar wings each made of four solar panels, which can provide 6~8kW electrical power for the onboard mission payload. The satellite is launched onboard the Changzheng 3B booster from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre, but can also be launched on a European or Russian rockets.

Dimensions: 2.36m X 2.10m X 3.60m
Launch mass: 5,100kg
Payload mass: 600kg
Fuel mass: 3,100kg
Solar panel power: 10,500kW
Payload power: 8kW
Designed life: 15 years

Dongfanghong 4

Chronology

2006-10-28 - Launch site: Xichang. Launch complex: XSLC-LC2. Launch vehicle: CZ-3B

SINOSAT 2 - Role: Telecommunications. Programme: SINOSAT. Spacecraft: DFH-4. Mass: 5,100kg. Contractor: CAST. Operator: SINOSAT. Summary: The first DFH-4 communications satellite, with 22 Ku-band transponders. The satellite reached its intended position at 92.2°E in the GEO. However, the satellite's solar penals and communications antenna failed to deploy, resulting in the 2 billion RMB satellite completely unusable.

2007-05-14 - Launch site: Xichang. Launch complex: XSLC-LC2. Launch vehicle: CZ-3B/E

NIGCOMSAT 1 – Role: Telecommunications. Programme: NIGCOMSAT. Spacecraft: DFH-4. Mass 5,086kg. Contractor: CAST. Operator: Nigerian Communication Satellite Ltd. Summary: Nigeria and Africa's first geostationary communications satellite, and China's first in-orbit satellite delivery package for a foreign customer. The satellite was successfully positioned in the GEO at 42°E and was handed over for operational use in July 2007. However, the solar panels of the satellite failed only 18 months after launch. On 11 November 2008, China Great Wall Industry Corporation declared the satellite lost.

2008-10-29 - Launch site: Xichang. Launch complex: XSLC-LC2. Launch vehicle: CZ-3B

VENESAT 1 (Simon Bolivar) – Role: Telecommunications. Programme: VENESAT. Spacecraft: DFH-4. Contractor: CAST. Operator: Venezuelan Ministry of Science & Technology. Summary: Venezuela's first satellite and the second in-orbit satellite delivery package for a foreign customer. The satellite carried 12 C-band and 14 Ku-band transponders, and was positioned in the GEO at 78°W. China also helped the construction of two satellite ground stations in Venezuela.

2010-09-05 - Launch site: Xichang. Launch complex: XSLC-LC2. Launch vehicle: CZ-3B

Chinasat 6A (SINOSAT 6) – Role: Telecommunications. Programme: SINOSAT/CHINASAT. Spacecraft: DFH-4. Contractor: CAST. Operator: China Satellite Communications Co. Ltd. Summary: Originally SINOSAT 6 and later became Chinasat 6A after the acquisition of SINOSAT by China Satellite Communications Co. Ltd. The satellite carried 24 C-band, 8 Ku-band and 1 S-band transponders, and was positioned in the GEO at 125°E.

2011-06-21 - 00:13 CST (2011-06-20 16:13 GMT). Launch site: Xichang. Launch complex: XSLC-LC2. Launch vehicle: CZ-3B

Chinasat 10 (SINOSAT 5) – Role: Telecommunications. Programme: SINOSAT/CHINASAT. Spacecraft: DFH-4. Contractor: CAST. Operator: China Satellite Communications Co. Ltd. Summary: Originally SINOSAT 5 and later became Chinasat 10 after the acquisition of SINOSAT by China Satellite Communications Co. Ltd. The satellite was based on the DFH-4 bus and equipped with French-made mission payload, including 30 C-band and 16 Ku-band transponders. The satellite was positioned in the GEO at 110.5°E.

2011-08-12 - Launch site: Xichang. Launch complex: XSLC-LC2. Launch vehicle: CZ-3B/E

Paksat 1R – Role: Telecommunications. Programme: Paksat. Spacecraft: DFH-4. Contractor: CAST. Operator: Pakistani Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission. Summary: In-orbit satellite delivery package for Pakistan to replace the Paksat 1 launched in 1996. The satellite carried 12 C-band and 18 Ku-band transponders, and was positioned at 37.84°E in the GEO.

2011-09-19 - Launch site: Xichang. Launch complex: XSLC-LC2. Launch vehicle: CZ-3B

Chinasat 1A (Fenghuo 2) – Role: Military communications. Programme: Fenghuo. Spacecraft: DFH-4. Contractor: CAST. Operator: PLA. Summary: Second-generation tactical military communications satellite, known as Fenghuo 2 in its military name. Positioned at 129.82°E in the GEO.

2011-12-20 - Launch site: Xichang. Launch complex: XSLC-LC2. Launch vehicle: CZ-3B/E

NIGCOMSAT 1R – Role: Telecommunications. Programme: NIGCOMSAT. Spacecraft: DFH-4. Contractor: CAST. Operator: Nigerian Communication Satellite Ltd. Summary: Replacement for NIGCOMSAT 1 that failed in 2008. Positioned at 42.5°E in the GEO.

Last updated: 3 April 2012