Watch the Launch

Tianlian 2-04

Circle Image

Overview

Destination: Geostationary Transfer Orbit
Mission: Communications

Geostationary Transfer Orbit Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Tianlian is a Chinese data tracking and relay communications geostationary satellite series. The TL 2 (Tian Lian 2) satellites represent the second generation of this relay satellite network, and is based on the DFH-4 Bus, a three-axis-stabilized telecommunications satellite platform. TL 2 will be used to support real-time communications between orbiting satellites and ground control stations. This system will replace the current network of ground-based space tracking and telemetry stations and space tracking ships.

Updates

Cosmic_Penguin • March 22, 2025, 4:08 a.m.

Added launch per NOTAMs; Payload and launch vehicle identities uncertain.


Cosmic_Penguin • March 26, 2025, 4:57 p.m.

Launch success.


Long March 3

Family:
Configuration: B/E

The Long March 3B / E (G2) (CZ-3B / E) is one of the most successful medium-range launchers and the strongest variant of the CZ-3 series. It was specially developed for the transport of heavy communications satellites into a geostationary transfer orbit. The additional designation "E" stands for a higher payload fairing, stretched boosters and extended fuel tanks at the first stage, over the CZ-3B.

Specifications
  • Stages
    3
  • Length
    56.3 m
  • Diameter
    3.35 m
  • Fairing Diameter
    4.2 m
  • Launch Mass
    456.0 T
  • Thrust
    5924.0 kN
Family
  • Name
    Long March 3
  • Family
  • Variant
    B/E
  • Alias
    CZ-3B/E
  • Full Name
    Long March 3B/E
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
    $70000000
  • Low Earth Orbit
    12000.0 kg
  • Geostationary Transfer Orbit
    5500.0 kg
  • Direct Geostationary
  • Sun-Synchronous Capacity

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

(CASC)

Chairman & President: Lei Fanpei Founded: 1999 Successes: 517 Failures: 14 Pending: 6

Agency Type:

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.

INFO WIKI

Related News

NASASpaceflight

Launch Roundup: Alpha, Spectrum, Electron, and Falcon 9 set to fly

The week ahead includes four launches scheduled for Wednesday and the third Electron rocket to… The post Launch Roundup: Alpha, Spectrum, Electron, and Falcon 9 set to fly appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.

SpaceNews

China launches new Tianlian data relay satellite to support human spaceflight

HELSINKI — China launched a new Tianlian data tracking and relay communications satellite Wednesday, adding to the country’s on-orbit infrastructure in the geostationary belt.  A Long March 3B lifted off […] The post China launches new Ti…

Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Launch Complex 2 (LC-2)


Falcon 9
Go
1 day, 3 hours ago
TRACERS
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

NASA's Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites (TRACERS) mission, consisting of two identical satellites that will orb…


Falcon 9
Go
2 days ago
O3b mPower 9-10
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

2 high-throughput communications satellites in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) built by Boeing and operated by SES.


Falcon 9
Success
4 days, 18 hours ago
Starlink Group 17-3
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 24 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Falcon 9
Success
1 week ago
Project Kuiper (KF-01)
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

First of a three launches contract for Amazon's Kuiper low Earth orbit satellite internet constellation, with 24 satellites on board.


Falcon 9
Success
1 week ago
Starlink Group 15-2
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 26 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Long March 7
Success
1 week, 2 days ago
Tianzhou-9
201 - Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China

Eighth cargo delivery mission to the Chinese space station.


Falcon 9
Success
1 week, 3 days ago
Dror-1
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

Note: SpaceX identifies the mission as "Commercial GTO 1". Dror-1 is a geostationary communication satellite built and developed by Israel Aerospa…


Falcon 9
Success
2 weeks, 1 day ago
Starlink Group 10-28
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

A batch of 28 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Soyuz 2.1a
Success
2 weeks, 6 days ago
Progress MS-31 (92P)
31/6 - Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan

Progress resupply mission to the International Space Station.


Long March 4C
Success
2 weeks, 6 days ago
Shiyan 28 B-01
Launch Complex 3 (LC-3/LA-1) - Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Satellite officially named for "space environment detection" purposes, exact details unknown.