Long March 3B/E | Tianlian 2-04

Launch Provider & Rocket

• Provider: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (Government)
• Rocket: Long March 3B/E — Long March family

Mission

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.

• Type: Communications
• Orbit: Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO)

Launch Site

• Pad: Launch Complex 2 (LC-2)
• Location: Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
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