China launched a new data relay satellite into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China’s Sichuan Province on Wednesday, July 13th.
The Tianlian II-03 satellite was launched by a Long March-3B carrier rocket. This satellite is China’s 2Gen GEO data relay satellite and will provide data relay and TT&C (telemetry, tracking and command) services for manned spacecraft and low and middle orbit resources satellites. The satellite will also support the TT&C for spacecraft launch.
This was the 426th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series. ■