China-Data Relay Satellite/Launch

Shotlist

Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Sichuan Province, southwest China – July 13, 2022 (CCTV – No access Chinese mainland)
1. Engineer doing countdown, ordering ignition in rocket launch
2. Long March-3B carrier rocket carrying Tianlian II-03 satellite blasting off
3. Animation showing rocket booster separation
4. Engineers at launch center
5. Animation showing separation of second-stage rocket
6. Engineers at launch center
7. Animation showing separation of fairing
8. Various of engineers at launch center

Storyline

China sent a new data relay satellite into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China’s Sichuan Province on Wednesday.

The Tianlian II-03 satellite was launched at 00:30 Beijing Time on Wednesday aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket, which was developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT).

Tianlian II-03 is one of China’s second-generation geosynchronous orbit data relay satellites.

It will provide data relay and telemetry, tracking and command services for manned spacecraft and low and middle orbit resources satellites. It will also support the telemetry, tracking and command for spacecraft launches.

The successful launch of the Tianlian II-03 satellite will complete the planed deployment of three Tianlian-2 satellites in orbit and increase the number of China’s relay satellites in orbit to eight.

The Long March-3B carrier rocket performed according to the expectations of the development team, which has worked hard on improving the launch vehicle’s reliability and enhancing the safety of ground equipment during its design and development.

The rocket has three main technological upgrades for this mission with an optimized control system and other modifications to improve reliability.

This was the 426th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.