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Tianlian
The Tianlian 1 (Tianlian = "Sky Link") was a data relay satellite designed and developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST). Its onboard mission payload was developed by the Beijing-based Space Star Technology Co. Ltd., a commercial company owned by the CAST. The satellite was designed to satisfy the requirement for long-duration, high-coverage space-to-ground voice and data communications, similar in concept to the NASA Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS).
The satellite, based on the DFH-3A satellite bus, operated on the geostationary orbit. It can provide low-, medium-, and high-speed data communications between the orbiting spacecraft and ground terminals in Ka- and S-band. The satellite was intended to support the human spaceflight programme, especially the Space Laboratory and Space Station operations. Furthermore, it could also be used for communications to and from other orbiting spacecraft such as the Yaogan reconnaissance satellite.
The first experimental satellite Tianlian 1 No.01 was launched on 25 April 2008. The system was tested during the Shenzhou 7 human space flight mission. A second satellite Tianlian 1 No.02 was launched in July 2011 prior to China’s first rendezvous docking operation between Tiangong 1 and Shenzhou 8. Currently Tianlian 1 No.01 is positioned at 77°E in the geosynchronous orbit, and Tianlian 1 No.02 is positioned at 176.77°E.
A single satellite is able to provide 50% of global coverage, while with two satellites the coverage increases to about 85%. CAST is also developing a second-generation Tianlian 2 system based on the DFH-4 satellite bus, which can provide higher capacity and longer service life.
Chronology
2008-04-25 - Launch site: Xichang. Launch complex: XSLC-LC2. Launch vehicle: CZ-3C
- Tianlian 1 No.1 – Role: Tracking and data relay. Programme: Tianlian. Spacecraft: DFH-3A. Mass: 2,100kg. Contractor: CAST. Operator: PLA. Summary: First experimental data relay satellite, positioned in the GEO at 77°E.
2011-07-11 - Launch site: Xichang. Launch complex: XSLC-LC2. Launch vehicle: CZ-3C
- Tianlian 1 No.2 – Role: Tracking and data relay. Programme: Tianlian. Spacecraft: DFH-3A. Mass: 2,100kg. Contractor: CAST. Operator: PLA. Summary: Second experimental data relay satellite, positioned in the GEO at 177°E.
2012-07-25 - Launch site: Xichang. Launch complex: XSLC-LC2. Launch vehicle: CZ-3C. LV serial: CZ-3C-Y9
- Tianlian 1 No.3 – Role: Tracking and data relay. Programme: Tianlian. Spacecraft: DFH-3A. Mass: 2,100kg. Contractor: CAST. Operator: PLA.
Last updated: 25 July 2012