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Jan. 10, 2019
Long March-3B rocket carrying ChinaSat-2D launch
A Long March-3B rocket launched the ChinaSat-2D satellite from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Sichuan Province, southwest China, on 10 January 2019, at 17:11 UTC (11 January at 01:11 local time).
Long March-3B launches ChinaSat-2D (Zhongxing-2D)
ChinaSat-2D or Zhongxing-2D (中星2D) is a communications satellite operated by China Satellite Communications.
China uses two types of satellites for secure military communications: the Fenghuo and the Shentong. The Fenghuo series is used for tactical military communications, providing secured digital data and voice communication to Chinese military forces. The Chinese are currently operating the DFH-4 based Fenghuo-2 second-generation satellite, with the first of the series – the Zhongxing-1A (37804 2011-047A) – launched at 13:33 UTC on September 18th, 2011, by the Chang Zheng-3B (Y16) rocket.
The Shentong geostationary military communication satellites are operated by the Army and their aim is to provide secure voice and data communications services for ground users using Ku-band. The first generation Shentong satellites were based on the DFH-3 (Dongfanghong-3) satellite platform that was developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), having a heavier payload with better reliability and increased power supply.
For more information about China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC): http://english.spacechina.com/n16421/index.html
Images, Video, Text, Credits: CASC/CCTV/GCBARRETT.com/SciNews/Orbiter.ch Aerospace/Roland Berga.
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