China launches 3rd satellite in its global data relay network

[ChineseTiger1986]

XICHANG, July 25 (Xinhua) -- China successfully launched the Tianlian I-03 satellite on Wednesday from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province, completing the country's first data relay satellite network system.

The satellite was launched on a Long March-3C carrier rocket at 11:43 p.m. Beijing Time, according to sources with the center.

Developed by the China Academy of Space Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the satellite will join its two predecessors to realize global network operation after in-orbit validation and system coordination procedures are carried out.

The first data relay satellite, the Tianlian I-01, was launched in April 2008, and the second was launched in July 2011.

The third satellite is expected to improve the network's coverage in providing measurement and control services for China's manned spacecraft as well as the planned construction of future space labs and space stations, according to the center.

The network will also offer data relay services for the country's medium- and low-Earth orbits as well as measurement and control support for spacecraft launches.

The two-satellite network had previously played a key role in assisting in two space docking missions -- an automated one between the Tiangong-1 lab module and the Shenzhou-8 spacecraft in late 2011, and a manual docking between Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou-9 in June.

Wednesday's launch marked the 166th mission of China's Long March series of rockets.

China launches 3rd satellite in its global data relay network - Xinhua | English.news.cn

 

[cirr]

This was not the only launch conducted by China yesterday。

The Taiyuan Launch Centre also witnessed the launch of a new type/generation of “X” on the same day.

 

[Martian2]

China launches third data relay satellite - Xinhua | English.news.cn
2012-07-26

[Note: Thank you to Greyboy2 for the post.]

 

[ao333]

Wait, let me find a way to troll this.

...

Not an event worthy of my time

 

[Pak47]

Congratulations, on successful launch.

I'm interested in this

new type/generation of “X” satellite

 

[Martian2]

Superpower showdown: China has 3 and U.S. has 7 tracking and data relay satellites (TDRS)

China launched Tianlian I-01 TDRS (tracking and data relay satellite) in 2008. Tianlian I-02 TDRS was launched in 2011. Tianlian I-03 TDRS was launched yesterday.

The United States has 7 functioning TDRS satellites. The U.S. is ahead in TDRS, but China is closing the gap.

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Tracking and Data Relay Satellite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"A Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) is a type of communications satellite that forms part of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) used by NASA and other United States government agencies for communications to and from independent "User Platforms" such as satellites, balloons, aircraft, and the International Space Station. This system was designed to replace a pre-existing worldwide network of ground stations that had supported all of NASA's manned flight missions and unmanned satellites in low-Earth orbits. The primary system design goal was to increase the amount of time that these spacecraft were in communication with the ground and improve the amount of data that could be transferred. These TDRSS satellites are all designed and built to be launched to and function in geosynchronous orbit, 22,300 miles above the surface of the Earth.

The first seven TDRSS satellites were built by the TRW corporation. The three later versions have been manufactured by the Boeing corporation's Satellite Systems division. Ten satellites have been launched; however, one was destroyed in a launch failure (the Challenger disaster). TDRS-1 was decommissioned in October of 2009[1]. TDRS-4 was decommissioned in December of 2011. Seven TDRSS satellites are still in service.[2] All of the TDRSS satellites have been managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.[3] The contract for TDRS versions L & K was awarded to Boeing on December 20, 2007.[4] On November 30, 2011, NASA announced the decision to order an additional third-generation TDRS satellite, TDRS M.[5]"