SJ 13 / ZX 16

Launch data: Designation  42662 / 17018A Launch date  12 Apr 2017 - 11:04 UT Launch site  Xichang, LC2 Launch vehicle  CZ-3B/G2 Mission  Gov: Communication Geostationary orbit: Perigee / Apogee  35763 x 35824 km Eccentricity  7,12E-04 Inclination   0.0° Period  1436.1 min

Description:

• CHINASAT 16 is a geostationary Chinese satellite developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST). The 4.6-tonne spacecraft is based on the DFH-3B satellite platform. The satellite will be named Shijian-13 during its test program phase, before being renamed CHINASAT 16 when it is transferred to China SatCom. The satellite will test a new electric propulsion system to be used for orbit raising and station keeping at a geosynchronous altitude. It also carries the first high-throughput satellite payload (HTS) developed by China. The satellite features a Ka-band broadband communications system capable of transmitting 20 gigabytes of data per second, making it the most powerful communications satellite the nation has developed to date.
• First Chinese GEO satellite to use electric thrusters. 26 user beams covering China and offshore areas, and will service for distance learning, medicine, internet access, airborne and maritime communications and emergency communications.

Mission details:

• China′s Shi Jian 13 was launched on Apr 12, 2017 into geotransfer orbit. The satellite is for Ka-band high bandwidth communications experiments. After its experimental phase it will be transferred to China Satcom which will operate it as Zhongxing-16.

External links:

• Satellite tracking (n2ya.com): Real time satellite tracking