Tianlian I

Infobox Spacecraft
Carrier_Rocket = Long March 3C
Organisation = CASC
Launch = 15:35 GMT, 25 April 2008
Mission_Type = Communication
Orbit_regime = Geosynchronous
NSSDC_ID = 2008-019A

Tianlian I (Simplified Chinese: 天链一号, Traditional Chinese: 天鏈一號), also known as Tian Lian 1, TL-1, and CTDRS-1 is a Chinese data relay communications satellite series. Based on the DFH-3 satellite bus, it will provide communication coverage for manned Shenzhou missions, from Shenzhou 7 onwards.cite web|url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n0804/25tianlian1/|title=Chinese data relay spacecraft put into orbit|author=Stephen Clark|date=2008-04-25|publisher=Spaceflight Now|language=English|accessdate=2008-04-26] In terms of function, it is similar to the United States Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System.

The first satellite Tianlian I-01 of the series was launched on the maiden flight of the Long March 3C carrier rocket, at 15:35 GMT on 25 April 2008, from LC-2 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre.cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-04/26/content_8052455.htm|title=China blasts off first data relay satellite|author=Yan Liang |date=2008-04-25|publisher=Xinhua|language=English|accessdate=2008-04-26] Tianlian I-01 will be able to cover around half of the spacecraft's trajectory, compared to around 12 percent which was previously covered using tracking stations and a fleet of ships.

Tianlian-1 satellites

*Tianlian I-01
*Tianlian 2

ee also

*Tracking and Data Relay Satellite
*Shenzhou spacecraft

References