DFH-4 Credit - NigComSat

Large Chinese communications satellite bus using a blend of Chinese and subcontracted European technologies.

Chinese Aerospace Corporation (CASC) announced in July 1998 that it would develop a new large geosynchronous satellite bus which would be used for variety of new generation Chinese satellites in the next century. CASC was to select a foreign company as a partner. All satellites based on this new bus would be designed, assembled and tested in China, and launched by Chinese Long March boosters. Four European companies submitted proposals. The satellite could be equipped with a mixture of C-, Ku-, and even L-band transponders, and multi-beam antenna systems. This would be a step beyond the DFH-3, to satisfy the requirements for direct broadcast services; fixed and mobile communications using very small aperture antennas; and other dedicated special services.

The final DFH-4 platform was 3 axis stabilized and equipped with a bi-propellant propulsion system. It utilized C-band for command and control. It was based on a mixture of technologies from the prior DFH-3 and European satellite technology.

Typical orbit: 35501 km x 35877 km at 0 degrees inclination. Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb).

• 2006 October 28 - Xinnuo 2 - Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Vehicle: CZ. Perigee: 35,675 km (22,167 mi). Apogee: 35,911 km (22,314 mi). Inclination: 0.0600 deg. Period: 1,436.44 min.

  First DH-4 heavy Chinese communication satellite with communications equipment provided by Alcatel Alenia. Mission failed when solar panels and antennae failed to deploy in geosynchronous orbit. This was a blow to China's prestige, since the satellite was an important part of the 2008 Beijing Olympics coverage plans. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 91.80E drifting at 0.093W degrees per day.

• 2007 May 13 - Nigcomsat 1 - Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Vehicle: CZ. Mass: 5,150 kg (11,350 lb). Perigee: 35,782 km (22,233 mi). Apogee: 35,789 km (22,238 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  Second DFH-4 communications satellite; China's first commercial payload sale, and Nigeria's first commercial communications satellite. Positioned at 42.5 deg E. Payload consisted of 4 C-band, 14 Ku-band, 8 Ka-band, and 2 L-band transponders. The antenna subsystem consisted of seven antennas.

• 2008 April 25 - Tian Lian 1 - Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Vehicle: CZ. Perigee: 35,768 km (22,225 mi). Apogee: 35,806 km (22,248 mi). Inclination: 0.40 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  China's first in a series of new data relay satellites, and the first launch of the CZ-3C, a variant of the Long March with two liquid strap-ons. The satellite will relay data from Chinese manned and military satellites, beginning with the Shenzhou mission, from geostationary orbit at 77 deg E. Configuration unknown, but possibly based on the DFH-4 platform.