Tianlian I

Tianlian I (Simplified Chinese: 天链一号, Traditional Chinese: 天鏈一號), also known as Tian Lian 1, TL-1, and CTDRS-1 is a Chinese data tracking and relay communications satellite series. Based on the DFH-3 satellite bus, it will provide communication coverage for manned Shenzhou missions, from Shenzhou 7 onwards.^[1] In terms of function, it is similar to the United States Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System.

The first satellite Tianlian I-01 of the series was launched on the maiden flight of the Long March 3C carrier rocket, at 15:35 GMT on 25 April 2008, from LC-2 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre.^[2] Tianlian I-01 will be able to cover around half of the spacecraft's trajectory, compared to around 12 percent which was previously covered using tracking stations and a fleet of ships.

Tianlian-1 satellites

• Tianlian I-01
• Tianlian 2

See also

• Tracking and Data Relay Satellite
• Shenzhou spacecraft

References