Tianlian-2 05 Satellite Successfully Launched

On April 27 at 23:54, China successfully launched the Tianlian-2 05 satellite from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center using a Long March-3B carrier rocket. The satellite entered its designated orbit smoothly, and the launch mission was a complete success.

Developed by the Fifth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, Tianlian-2 05 is the fifth satellite in China's second-generation geosynchronous orbit relay satellite system. It primarily provides data relay and tracking services for manned spacecraft, space stations, and medium-to-low orbit resource satellites, as well as tracking support for spacecraft launches.

Tianlian-2 05 will operate in tandem with Tianlian-2 04, launched on March 26 this year, further enhancing the data transmission capabilities of China's second-generation relay satellite system. This will significantly improve the autonomy, security, and reliability of China's space-based tracking and control.

China began developing relay satellites in 2003. In 2008, the first Tianlian-1 satellite was successfully launched. By 2012, the Tianlian-1 three-satellite network was completed, making China the second country with a globally capable relay satellite system. In 2010, China initiated the development of the second-generation data relay satellite system, with the successful launch of Tianlian-2 01 in 2019 marking the start of the system's upgrade.

The Long March-3B carrier rocket, developed by the First Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, is part of the Long March-3A series. This series has undertaken all launch missions for both the Tianlian-1 (01–05) and Tianlian-2 (01–05) geosynchronous orbit relay satellite systems, achieving a 100% success rate.

This launch marks the 572nd flight of the Long March rocket series.