TL 1B

Tianlian-1 02 xing

China (PR)

Spacecraft nº:

Chinese spacecraft nº: 160

Also called: TL-1B and CTDRS

Designation	37737 / 11032A
Launch date	11 Jul 2011 - 15:41:03 UT
Launch site	Xichang, LC-2
Launch vehicle	CZ-3C (Y8)
Mission	Government: Communications (Data relay)
Geostationary orbit:
Perigee / Apogee	37778 x 37794 km
Eccentricity	1.81E-04
Inclination	1.0 deg
Period	1436.1 min

Prime manufactor	CAST
Platform	DFH-3 Bus
Operator	Chinese Academy of Space Technology (CAST)
Mass at launch	2250 kg
Dry Mass	kg
Basic shape
Dimension (m)
Equipment
Solar array	2 arrays
Stabilization	three-axis-stabilized
Propulsion
DC power
Design lifetime	Still active

TIANLIAN 1-02 is the second Tianlian 1 data relay satellite, joining a similar craft launched in April 2008. The satellites are part of a network to increase the coverage of tracking stations for Chinese space missions across the globe.

Data relay satellite. Will cover Shenzhou missions and China′s space station.
The TL 1 (Tian Lian 1) satellite is a geostationary relay satellite based on the DFH-3 Bus. TL 1 will be used to support real-time communications between orbiting satellites and ground control stations. It will also be used to support the forthcoming Shenzhou/Tiangong docking mission.This system will replace the current network of ground-based space tracking and telemetry stations and space tracking ships.
The CZ-3C third stage put the payload in a 198 x 42217 km x 18.0 deg supersynchronous transfer orbit. By Jul 19 the satellite was in geostationary orbit over the Pacific.

Ref.: #7(JR644,763), #14, #226, #228 - update: 05.05.19