Tianlian II

Tianlian II (Chinese: 天链二号, English: Sky Chain II) is China's second generation geosynchronous orbit tracking and data relay communications satellite series. This satellite system has made remarkable progress in mission planning and system management compared to the Tianlian I relay communications satellite system.^[1][2]

Tianlian II satellite[]

The first satellite of this series is Tianlian II-01 (Chinese: 天链二号01星, COSPAR ID: 2019-017A ^[3]). It was launched by Long March 3B at Xichang Satellite Launch Center on 31 March 2019, at 15:51 UTC. The mission was the 301st flight of the Long March series as launch vehicles.^[1]

The second satellite of this series is Tianlian II-02 (Chinese: 天链二号02星, COSPAR ID: 2021-124A). It was launched by Long March 3B at Xichang Satellite Launch Center on 13 December 2021, at 16:09 UTC. The mission was the 401st flight of the Long March series as launch vehicles.

Mission[]

Tianlian II-01 is a communications satellite to provide real-time communications between orbiting satellites and ground control stations. The Chinese tracking and data relay satellites were developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and it is similar to the American Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) in concept. The system is designed to support near-real-time communications between orbiting spacecraft and the ground control, and complement the ground-based space tracking and telemetry stations and ships to support future space projects.^[3] As of June 2021, Tianlian II-01 is providing data relay services for crewed Shenzhou missions and the Tiangong space station.^[4]

See also[]

• Tianlian I

References[]

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