Tianlian

Tianlian (Simplified Chinese: 天链, Traditional Chinese: 天鏈, English: Sky Link) also known as CTDRS, is a Chinese data relay communication satellite constellation. The constellation serves to relay data from ground stations to spacecraft and rockets, most significantly China's crewed spaceflight program. The system currently consists of twelve satellites of three generations, with the first satellite being launched in 2008.

## Contents

* 1 Mission
* 2 Tianlian I
* 3 Tianlian II
* 4 Tianlian III
* 5 Satellites
* 6 See also
* 7 References

## Mission

Tianlian is used to provide real-time communications between orbiting satellites and ground control stations. The Chinese tracking and data relay satellites were developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and it is similar to the American Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) in concept. The system is designed to support near-real-time communications between orbiting spacecraft and ground control, as well as complement the ground-based space tracking and telemetry stations and ships in tracking spacecraft.[1] This is necessary because ground stations can only maintain contact with a satellite while it is overhead. Positioning multiple satellites in geostationary orbit ensures that the ground station and satellite are both always in view of at least one relay satellite, allowing for constant communication between the ground station and target satellite. The system provides data relay services for crewed Shenzhou missions, from Shenzhou 7 onwards, the Tiangong space station, and interplanetary missions.[2][3][4] All satellites were launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center and operate in geostationary orbit.[5][6][7][8]

## Tianlian I

Tianlian I consists of five satellites, all based on the DFH-3 satellite bus. The first satellite of the series, Tianlian I-01, was launched on the maiden flight of the Long March 3C launch vehicle on 25 April 2008.[9][10] With the launch of Tianlian I-03, a spacecraft could be tracked for 70% of its orbit, compared to only 15% without the constellation.[11]

## Tianlian II

Tianlian II is the second generation of the constellation and currently consists of 6 satellites based on the DFH-4 satellite bus. The second generation system greatly improves data transmission rates and its multi-targeting ability. This in turn improves spacecraft operational safety and flexibility.[12][13]

## Tianlian III

Tianlian III is the third generation of the constellation and launched its first satellite on 29 July 2026 from the Wenchang Space Launch Site with the Long March 7A rocket.[14] It is based on the enhanced platform of DFH-4 satellite bus, DFH-4E which provides further improvements to the satellite platform's carrying capacity. Equipped with a new generation of payload products, the satellite's multi-user parallel data transmission capability has been significantly enhanced.

## Satellites

Satellite  | Simplified Chinese Name  | Launch (UTC)[15] | Carrier Rocket[15] | Launch site[15] | Bus  | Longitude[16] | Status  | COSPAR ID | SATCAT no.

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First Generation
Tianlian I-01  | 天链一号01星  | 25 April 2008, 15:35  | Long March 3C | XSLC LC-2  | DFH-3  | 77.0° East  | Inactive  | 2008-019A  | 32779
Tianlian I-02  | 天链一号02星  | 11 July 2011, 15:41  | Long March 3C | XSLC LC-2  | DFH-3  | 176.72° East  | Inactive  | 2011-032A  | 37737
Tianlian I-03  | 天链一号03星  | 25 July 2012, 15:43  | Long March 3C | XSLC LC-2  | DFH-3  | 16.86° East  | Inactive  | 2012-040A  | 38730
Tianlian I-04  | 天链一号04星  | 22 November 2016, 15:24  | Long March 3C | XSLC LC-2  | DFH-3  | 76.95° East  | Active  | 2016-072A  | 41869
Tianlian I-05  | 天链一号05星  | 6 July 2021, 15:53  | Long March 3C | XSLC LC-2  | DFH-3  | 106.2653° East  | Active  | 2021-063A  | 49011
Second Generation
Tianlian II-01  | 天链二号01星  | 31 March 2019, 15:51  | Long March 3B | XSLC LC-2  | DFH-4  | 79.9° East  | Active  | 2019-017A  | 44076
Tianlian II-02  | 天链二号02星  | 13 December 2021, 16:09  | Long March 3B | XSLC LC-3  | DFH-4  | 171.04° East  | Active  | 2021-124A  | 50005
Tianlian II-03  | 天链二号03星  | 12 July 2022, 16:30  | Long March 3B | XSLC LC-2  | DFH-4  | 10.5° East  | Active  | 2022-078A  | 53100
Tianlian II-04  | 天链二号04星  | 26 March 2025, 15:55  | Long March 3B | XSLC LC-2  | DFH-4  | 80.0° East  | Active  | 2025-062A  | 63361
Tianlian II-05  | 天链二号05星  | 27 April 2025, 15:54  | Long March 3B | XSLC LC-2  | DFH-4  |  | Active  | 2025-084A  | 63662
Tianlian II-06  | 天链二号06星  | 23 July 2026, 12:00  | Long March 3B | XSLC LC-2  | DFH-4  |  | Active  | 2026-168A  | 100140
Third Generation
Tianlian III-01  | 天链三号01星  | 29 July 2026, 11:50  | Long March 7A | WSLS LC-201  | DFH-4E  |  | Active  | 2026-172A  | 100172

## See also

Note: This topic belongs to "Spaceflight" portal

* Queqiao \- Chinese Data Relay satellite for lunar communication
* Chinese Deep Space Network \- Mission control for deep space missions
* Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System \- US equivalent
* Luch \- Russian equivalent
* Indian Data Relay Satellite System \- Indian equivalent
* European Data Relay System \- ESA equivalent
* Inter-satellite service
* Shenzhou spacecraft

## References

1. ↑ "Display: Tianlian 2-01 2019-017A". NASA. https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2019-017A. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
2. ↑ "China's relay satellites facilitate clear, smooth space-ground communication". Xinhua News Agency. 24 June 2021. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-06/24/c_1310026228.htm.
3. ↑ Clark, Stephen (2008-04-25). "Chinese data relay spacecraft put into orbit". http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n0804/25tianlian1/.
4. ↑ Li, Guoli; Wang, Ran (2020-07-21). "我国天基测控系统团队完成多项技术状态准备静待天问一号发射" (in zh). Xinhua News Agency. http://www.xinhuanet.com/mil/2020-07/21/c_1210712768.htm.
5. ↑ Todd, David (2012-07-26). "Chinese data relay satellite TianLian-1C is launched successfully on a Long March 3C". Flightglobal. http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/hyperbola/2012/07/chinese-data-relay-satellite-t.html.
6. ↑ "Display: Tianlian 1-02 2011-032A". NASA. 14 May 2020. https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2011-032A. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
7. ↑ "Display: Tianlian 1-03 2012-040A". NASA. 14 May 2020. https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2012-040A. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
8. ↑ "Display: Tianlian 1-04 2016-072A". NASA. 14 May 2020. https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2016-072A. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
9. ↑ Liang, Yan (2008-04-25). "China blasts off first data relay satellite". Xinhua. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-04/26/content_8052455.htm.
10. ↑ "我国成功发射首颗数据中继卫星(组图)" (in zh). 2008-04-26. http://china.rednet.cn/c/2008/04/26/1493822.htm.
11. ↑ Dingding, Xin (2012-07-27). "Satellite launch completes network". China Daily. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2012-07/27/content_15622172.htm.
12. ↑ "中国成功发射"天链二号01星"". http://www.chinanews.com/gn/2019/04-01/8796135.shtml.
13. ↑ "China successfully launches second generation data relay satellite". The Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/china-successfully-launches-second-generation-data-relay-satellite/articleshow/68665863.cms?from=mdr.
14. ↑ "China's Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site logs its 50th launch mission". https://english.news.cn/20260729/3b0a62324f4a41a5a5eae5cde4882780/c.html.
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Report. http://planet4589.org/space/log/launchlog.txt.
16. ↑ "Union of Concerned Scientists Satellite Database". UCS. 1 January 2021. http://www.ucsusa.org/satellite_database.

* v
* t
* e

Chinese spacecraft

Earth observation|

* Fengyun
* Gaofen
* FSW
* HY
* Jilin
* Shiyan
* SMMS
* TanSat
* Tansuo
* Tianhui
* Yaogan
* Ziyuan

Communication and engineering|

* Dong Fang Hong
* FH-1
* Apstar
* APMT
* Asiasat
* Chinasat
* ChinaStar
* HKSTG
* LGSP
* OlympicSat
* Shijian
* Sinosat
* Tsinghua-1
* Xiwang 1

Data relay satellite system|

* Queqiao
* Tianlian I
* Tianlian I-01
* Tianlian I-02
* Tianlian I-03
* Tianlian II

Positioning|

* BeiDou-1
* BeiDou-2

Astronomical observation|

* Double Star (joint with ESA)
* Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE)
* Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT)
* Huanjing
* Kuafu
* Longjiang-2
* Queqiao
* Space Solar Telescope (SST)
* Space Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM)
* Xuntian

Lunar exploration|

* Chinese Lunar Exploration Program
* Chang'e 1
* Chang'e 2
* Chang'e 3
* Yutu
* Chang'e 5-T1
* Chang'e 4
* Yutu-2
* Chang'e 5
* Chang'e 6
* Chang'e 7
* Chang'e 8

Planetary exploration|

* Yinghuo-1
* Chang'e 2
* Mars Global Remote Sensing Orbiter and Small Rover
* ZhengHe

Microsatellites|

* Fengniao
* Xinyan

Future spacecraft in italics.

* v
* t
* e

Chinese space program

* China National Space Administration (CNSA)

| Spaceports and landing sites|

* Jiuquan
* Taiyuan
* Wenchang
* Xichang
* Siziwang Banner (landing site)

|

Launch vehicles|

* Long March 2
* Long March 3
* Long March 4
* Long March 5
* Long March 6
* Long March 7
* Long March 11
* Kuaizhou
* Kaituozhe

Exploration programs|

* Shuguang (cancelled)
* Shenzhou (human spaceflight)
* Chang'e (lunar exploration)
* Tiangong (space station)

Projects and missions

Science|

| Planetary science|

* Chang'e 1 (2007–09)
* Chang'e 2 (2010–present)
* Yinghuo 1† (2011)
* Chang'e 3 (2013–present)
* Chang'e 5-T1 (2014–present)
* Yutu (2013–2016)
* Chang'e 4 (2018-present)
* Yutu-2 (2018-present)
* Chang'e 5 (2020)
* Mars Global Remote Sensing Orbiter and Small Rover (2020)
* ZhengHe (2024)

|

Astronomy and
cosmology

* DAMPE (2015–present)
* HXMT (2017–present)
* GECAM (2020)
* SVOM (2021)
* EP (2021)
* ASO-S (2022)
* Xuntian (2022)
* Space Solar Telescope

Earth observation|

* CSES (2018–present)
* Double Star (2003–07)
* Gaofen (2013–present)
* HY
* TanSat (2016–present)
* Yaogan (2006–present)
* Ziyuan (CBERS) (1999–present)
* SMILE (2023)

Human spaceflight|

| Crewed expeditions|

* List of Chinese astronauts
* Shenzhou 5
* Shenzhou 6
* Shenzhou 7
* Shenzhou 9
* Shenzhou 10
* Shenzhou 11

|

Space laboratories and cargos|

* Tiangong 1 (2011–18)
* Tiangong 2 (2016–19)
* Tianzhou 1 (2017)

Chinese space station|

* Tianhe (2021)
* Wentian (2021)
* Mengtian (2022)

Navigation|

* BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS)

Telecommunications|

* Tianlian I (2008–present)
* ChinaSat 9 (2009–present)
* Apstar 6C (2018–present)
* Tianlian 2 (2019–present)

Technology
demonstrators

* FSW Program (1969–2006)
* QUESS (2016–present)
* XPNAV 1 (2016–present)

* Future missions marked in italics, failed missions marked with † sign

* v
* t
* e

Shenzhou program

Shenzhou missions|

| Uncrewed|

* Shenzhou 1
* Shenzhou 2
* Shenzhou 3
* Shenzhou 4
* Shenzhou 8

|

Crewed|

* Shenzhou 5
* Shenzhou 6
* Shenzhou 7
* Shenzhou 9
* Shenzhou 10
* Shenzhou 11
* Shenzhou 12

Tianzhou missions|

| Past|

* Tianzhou 1

|

Space stations|

* Tiangong program
* Tiangong-1
* Tiangong-2
* Tiangong-3
* Chinese large modular space station

Hardware|

* Shenzhou (spacecraft)
* Tianzhou (spacecraft)
* Long March 2F
* Feitian space suit

Other|

* Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (launch site)
* Siziwang Banner (landing site)
* List of Chinese astronauts

Template:Satellite constellations

* v
* t
* e

Orbital launches in 2008

Thuraya 3 | TecSAR | Ekspress AM-33 | Progress M-63 | STS-122 (Columbus) | Thor 5 | Kizuna | Jules Verne ATV | STS-123 (Kibō ELM-PS * Dextre * Spacelab MD002) | USA-200 | AMC-14 | USA-201 | DirecTV-11 | SAR-Lupe 4 | Soyuz TMA-12 | ICO G1 | C/NOFS | Vinasat-1 * Star One C2 | Tianlian I-01 | GIOVE-B | Cartosat-2A * TWSAT * CanX-2 * CUTE-1.7 + APD II * Delfi-C3 * AAUSAT-II * Compass-1 * SEEDS-2 * CanX-6 * Rubin-8 | Amos-3 | Progress M-64 | Galaxy 18 | Kosmos 2437 * Kosmos 2438 * Kosmos 2439 * Yubileiny | Feng Yun 3A | STS-124 (Kibō PM) | ChinaSat 9 | Fermi | Skynet 5C * Türksat 3A | Orbcomm FM29 * Orbcomm FM37 * Orbcomm FM38 * Orbcomm FM39 * Orbcomm FM40 * Orbcomm FM41 | OSTM/Jason-2 | Kosmos 2440 | Badr-6 * ProtoStar 1 | EchoStar XI | SAR-Lupe 5 | Kosmos 2441 | Trailblazer * NanoSail-D * PRESat * Explorers | Superbird-C2 * AMC-21 | Omid | Inmarsat-4 F3 | Tachys * Mati * Choma * Choros * Trochia | Huan Jing 1A * Huan Jing 1B | GeoEye-1 | Progress M-65 | Nimiq-4 | Galaxy 19 | Kosmos 2442 * Kosmos 2243 * Kosmos 2444 | Shenzhou 7 (Banxing-1) | Ratsat | THEOS | Soyuz TMA-13 | IBEX | Chandrayaan-1 (MIP) | Shijian 6E * Shijian 6F | COSMO-3 | Venesat-1 | Chuang Xin 1B * Shiyan Weixing 3 | Astra 1M | Kosmos 2445 | STS-126 (Leonardo MPLM * PSSC-1) | Progress M-01M | Yaogan 4 | Kosmos 2446 | Yaogan 5 | Hot Bird 9 * Eutelsat W2M | Feng Yun 2E | Kosmos 2447 * Kosmos 2448 * Kosmos 2449

Payloads are separated by bullets ( * ), launches by pipes ( | ). Crewed flights are indicated in bold text. Uncatalogued launch failures are listed in italics. Payloads deployed from other spacecraft are denoted in brackets.

Template:Orbital launches in 2025

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