Chinasat-9

Zhongxing-9
Mission type Communication
Operator China DBSAT
Spacecraft properties
Bus Spacebus-4000C2
Manufacturer Thales Alenia Space
Launch mass 4,500 kilograms (9,900 lb)[1]
Start of mission
Launch date 9 June 2008, 12:15 UTC
Rocket Chang Zheng 3B
Launch site Xichang LA-2
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Geostationary
Longitude 92.2° East

Chinasat 9, also known as Zhongxing 9 (中星九號) or ZX-9, is a Chinese communications satellite. It was launched from pad 2 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre on 9 June 2008, at 12:15 GMT, by a Long March 3B carrier rocket.[2] It is based on the Spacebus 4000C2 satellite bus, and was constructed in France by Thales Alenia Space in its Cannes Mandelieu Space Center.[3] It is one of several Chinasat spacecraft in orbit.

It was launched to act as a relay satellite for the 2008 Olympic Games, and will subsequently be used for general communications. It is operated by the China Direct Broadcast Satellite Company on behalf of the China Ministry of Post and Telecommunications. Equipped with 22 NATO J-band (IEEE Ku band) transponders, it was placed in geosynchronous orbit at a longitude of 92.2° East.[2]

See also

Wikinews has related news: Long March 3B rocket launches Chinasat-9 satellite

References

  1. ↑ Krebs, Gunter. "ZX 9 (Chinasat 9)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Barbosa, Rui C. (2008-06-09). "CZ-3B Chang Zheng-3B launches ChinaSat-9". NASASpaceflight.com. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
  3. ↑ Yuxia, Jiang (2008-06-09). "China launches French-built satellite". Xinhua. Retrieved 2008-06-09.