Dong Fang Hong 51

China (PR)

Spacecraft nº:

Chinese satellite nº: 68

Also called: Beidou 1A (Beidou Navigation Test Satellite)

Launch data:

Designation	26599 / 00069A
Launch date	30 Oct 2000 - 16:02 UT
Launch site	Xichang, LC1B
Launch vehicle	CZ-3A (S/N CZ3A-5 / #63)
Mission	Military: Navigation/Global Positioning
Geostationary orbit on:
Perigee / Apogee	35770 x 35804 km
Eccentricity	4.03E-04
Inclination	0 deg
Period	1436.09 min

Spacecraft data:

Prime contractor	Space Technology Research Institute (part of CASC)
Platform	DFH-3 bus
Operator	Chinese defense Ministry
Mass at launch	2200 kg 1100 kg propellant
Dry Mass	kg
Basic shape
Dimension (m)	2.2 x 1.72 x 2.0 m
Solar array	pair of solar panels, span of 18.1 m
Stabilization
DC power
Design lifetime	5-8 yers

Location:

Date	Position	Remarks
	80°E

Decay:

Out of service:	Retired
Cause:

Mission details:

This might be a test model of the future Beidou Navigation System (BNS). It probably works as an overlay of the GPS system, as Galileo, probably in L-band. The satellite is based on the DFH-3 plaftorm and weights approx 2200 kg with its FY-25 apogee motor.
Beidou navigation system (BNS); improve accuracy of weapons and situational awareness of military forces; in GEO unlike most navigation systems. Beidou means "Northern Dipper."

Ref.: #7, #15, #233, #226 - update: 25.12.11