Jump to content

Tianlian

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tianlian
ManufacturerChina Academy of Space Technology(CAST)
Country of originChina
OperatorChina Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation(CASC)
ApplicationsTracking and Data Relay Satellite System
Specifications
Bus
RegimeGeostationary
Production
StatusIn service
Launched8
Operational8
Maiden launchTianlian I-01
25 April 2008
Last launchTianlian II-03
12 July 2022

Tianlian(Simplified Chinese:Thiên liên,Traditional Chinese:Thiên liên, English:Sky Link) also known asCTDRS,is a Chinesedata relay communication satelliteconstellation. The constellation serves to relay data from ground stations to spacecraft and rockets, most significantlyChina's crewed spaceflight program.The system currently consists of seven satellites in two generations, with the first satellite being launched in 2008.

Mission[edit]

Tianlian is used to provide real-time communications between orbiting satellites and ground control stations. The Chinese tracking and data relay satellites were developed by theChina Academy of Space Technology(CAST) and it is similar to the AmericanTracking and Data Relay Satellite System(TDRSS) in concept. The system is designed to support near-real-time communications between orbiting spacecraft and ground control, as well as complement the ground-based space tracking and telemetry stations and ships in tracking spacecraft.[1]This is necessary because ground stations can only maintain contact with a satellite while it is overhead. Positioning multiple satellites ingeostationary orbitensures that the ground station and satellite are both always in view of at least one relay satellite, allowing for constant communication between the ground station and target satellite. The system provides data relay services for crewedShenzhoumissions, fromShenzhou 7onwards, theTiangong space station,and interplanetary missions.[2][3][4]All satellites were launched from theXichang Satellite Launch Centerand operate in geostationary orbit.[5][6][7][8]

Tianlian I[edit]

Tianlian Iconsists of five satellites, all based on theDFH-3satellite bus.The first satellite of the series,Tianlian I-01,was launched on the maiden flight of theLong March 3Claunch vehicleon 25 April 2008.[9][10]With the launch of Tianlian I-03, a spacecraft could be tracked for 70% of its orbit, compared to only 15% without the constellation.[11]

Tianlian II[edit]

Tianlian IIis the second generation of the constellation and currently consists of 3 satellites based on theDFH-4satellite bus.The second generation system greatly improves data transmission rates and its multi-targeting ability. This in turn improves spacecraft operational safety and flexibility.[12][13]

Satellites[edit]

Satellite Simplified Chinese Name Launch (UTC)[14] Carrier Rocket[14] Launch Site[14] Bus Longitude[15] Status COSPAR ID SATCAT no.
First Generation
Tianlian I-01 Thiên liên nhất hào 01 tinh 25 April 2008, 15:35 Long March 3C XSLC LC-2 DFH-3 77.0° East Active 2008-019A 32779
Tianlian I-02 Thiên liên nhất hào 02 tinh 11 July 2011, 15:41 Long March 3C XSLC LC-2 DFH-3 176.72° East Active 2011-032A 37737
Tianlian I-03 Thiên liên nhất hào 03 tinh 25 July 2012, 15:43 Long March 3C XSLC LC-2 DFH-3 16.86° East Active 2012-040A 38730
Tianlian I-04 Thiên liên nhất hào 04 tinh 22 November 2016, 15:24 Long March 3C XSLC LC-2 DFH-3 76.95° East Active 2016-072A 41869
Tianlian I-05 Thiên liên nhất hào 05 tinh 6 July 2021, 15:53 Long March 3C XSLC LC-2 DFH-3 106.2653° East Active 2021-063A 49011
Second Generation
Tianlian II-01 Thiên liên nhị hào 01 tinh 31 March 2019, 15:51 Long March 3B XSLC LC-3 DFH-4 79.9° East Active 2019-017A 44076
Tianlian II-02 Thiên liên nhị hào 02 tinh 13 December 2021, 16:09 Long March 3B XSLC LC-3 DFH-4 171.04° East Active 2021-124A 50005
Tianlian II-03 Thiên liên nhị hào 03 tinh 12 July 2022, 16:30 Long March 3B XSLC LC-2 DFH-4 Active 2022-078A 53100

See also[edit]

Wikinews has related news:

References[edit]

  1. ^"Display: Tianlian 2-01 2019-017A".nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov.NASA.Retrieved16 November2020.Public DomainThis article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
  2. ^"China's relay satellites facilitate clear, smooth space-ground communication".Xinhua News Agency.24 June 2021.Retrieved29 June2021.
  3. ^Stephen Clark (25 April 2008)."Chinese data relay spacecraft put into orbit".Spaceflight Now.Retrieved26 April2008.
  4. ^Li, Guoli; Wang, Ran (21 July 2020)."Ngã quốc thiên cơ trắc khống hệ thống đoàn đội hoàn thành đa hạng kỹ thuật trạng thái chuẩn bị tĩnh đãi thiên vấn nhất hào phát xạ"(in Chinese). Xinhua News Agency.Retrieved23 June2021.
  5. ^David Todd (26 July 2012)."Chinese data relay satellite TianLian-1C is launched successfully on a Long March 3C".Flightglobal.Retrieved17 August2012.
  6. ^"Display: Tianlian 1-02 2011-032A".NASA. 14 May 2020.Retrieved11 December2020.Public DomainThis article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
  7. ^"Display: Tianlian 1-03 2012-040A".NASA. 14 May 2020.Retrieved11 December2020.Public DomainThis article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
  8. ^"Display: Tianlian 1-04 2016-072A".NASA. 14 May 2020.Retrieved11 December2020.Public DomainThis article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
  9. ^Yan Liang (25 April 2008)."China blasts off first data relay satellite".Xinhua. Archived fromthe originalon 29 April 2008.Retrieved26 April2008.
  10. ^Ngã quốc thành công phát xạ thủ khỏa sổ cư trung kế vệ tinh ( tổ đồ )
  11. ^Xin Dingding (27 July 2012)."Satellite launch completes network".China Daily.Retrieved17 August2012.
  12. ^"Trung quốc thành công phát xạ" thiên liên nhị hào 01 tinh "- trung tân võng".chinanews.com.Retrieved16 November2020.
  13. ^"China successfully launches second generation data relay satellite".The Economic Times.Retrieved16 November2020.
  14. ^abcMcDowell, Jonathan."Launch Log".Jonathan's Space Report.Retrieved11 December2020.
  15. ^"Union of Concerned Scientists Satellite Database".UCS. 1 January 2021.Retrieved8 July2021.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tianlian&oldid=1133082629"