Tianlian I

Tianlian I (Simplified Chinese: 天链一号, Traditional Chinese: 天鏈一號, English: Sky Chain), also known as Tian Lian 1, TL-1, and CTDRS-1 is a Chinese data tracking and relay communications satellite series. Based on the DFH-3 satellite bus, it will provide communication coverage for manned Shenzhou missions, from Shenzhou 7 onwards.[1] Functionally, it is similar to the United States Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System.

Tianlian I

Manufacturer	CAST
Country of origin	People's Republic of China
Operator	CASC
Applications	Communications
Specifications
Bus	DFH-3
Regime	Geostationary
Production
Status	In service
Launched	4
Operational	4
Maiden launch	Tianlian I-01 25 April 2008
Last launch	Tianlian I-04 22 November 2016

The first satellite of the series, Tianlian I-01, was launched on the maiden flight of the Long March 3C carrier rocket, at 15:35 GMT on 25 April 2008, from LC-2 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre.[2] Tianlian I-01 is able to cover around half of the spacecraft's trajectory, compared to around 12 percent which had been covered using tracking stations and a fleet of ships. Tianlian I-02 was launched on 11 July 2011, Tianlian I-03 on 25 July 2012 and Tianlian I-04 on 22 November 2016.[3] The satellites are in geostationary orbit.[4]

Tianlian-1 satellites

• Tianlian I-01
• Tianlian I-02
• Tianlian I-03
• Tianlian I-04

Tianlian I-01

Tianlian I-01

Mission type	Communications
Operator	CASC
COSPAR ID	2008-019A
SATCAT no.	32779
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type	Tianlian I
Bus	DFH-3
Manufacturer	CAST
Start of mission
Launch date	25 April 2008, 15:35:11 (2008-04-25UTC15:35:11Z) UTC[5]
Rocket	Chang Zheng 3C
Launch site	Xichang LC-2
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric
Regime	Geostationary
Longitude	80.4° east
Perigee altitude	35,638 kilometres (22,144 mi)[6]
Apogee altitude	35,949 kilometres (22,338 mi)[6]
Inclination	1.03 degrees[6]
Period	1436.14 minutes[6]
Epoch	23 January 2015, 21:35:31 UTC[6]

Tianlian I-01 (Simplified Chinese: 天链一号01星, Traditional Chinese: 天鏈一號01星) is the first Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) launched by People's Republic of China, and the first satellite of Tianlian I TDRS series.[7] The satellite has multiple roles and will especially serve for China's manned spaceflight. Its first task could be for the Shenzhou 7 communication.

Launch

The satellite was launched successfully by the Long March 3C rocket in Xichang Satellite Launch Centre at local time 23:35 April 25, 2008. It was the 105th launch of the Long March Rocket Family. The rocket had 3 stages, 2 roll boosters, a 55 m height; and was liquid-fueled. Its initial weight was ~343 t.

Its history includes:

• 00:00 April 26, 2008, the Xi'an Satellite Control Centre received the feedback signal, which showed the satellite accurately entered its predesigned orbit.
• 08:25 GMT April 30, 2008, the satellite was announced to be successfully set at E. 77 degrees over the equator.[8]

See also

• Tracking and Data Relay Satellite
• Shenzhou spacecraft

References

1. Stephen Clark (2008-04-25). "Chinese data relay spacecraft put into orbit". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
2. Yan Liang (2008-04-25). "China blasts off first data relay satellite". Xinhua. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
3. Xin Dingding (2012-07-27). "Satellite launch completes network". China Daily. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
4. David Todd (2012-07-26). "Chinese data relay satellite TianLian-1C is launched successfully on a Long March 3C". Flightglobal. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
5. McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
6. "CTDRS Satellite details 2008-019A NORAD 32779". N2YO. 23 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
7. 我国成功发射首颗数据中继卫星(组图)
8. China sets up first space station for spacecraft data relay_English_Xinhua Archived 2008-09-18 at the Wayback Machine