DFH-3 Credit - via Chen Lan

In May 1999 Aviation Week reported that a new communication satellite, Fenghuo-1 (FH-1), would be launched by a CZ-3A by the end of 1999. The Chinese name Fenghuo (the messaging system used by the ancient Chinese army on the Great Wall) suggested it probably would have a military mission. It was believed that technology gained from the European-Chinese Sinosat project was used to develop the new military communications satellite. A constellation of these satellites were planned to form a command-and-control network designed to link Chinese combat forces. Deployment of the new constellation began with Zhongxing 22 in January 2000. Structurally the satellite was believed to based on the DFH-3 bus.

Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Associated Launch Vehicle: CZ-3A.

• 2000 January 25 - Zhongxing-22 - Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Vehicle: CZ-3A. Mass: 2,300 kg (5,000 lb). Perigee: 35,771 km (22,227 mi). Apogee: 35,803 km (22,246 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg.

  First Chinese military communications satellite. Perhaps an update of the DFH-3 design. Stationed at 98 deg E. The first in a planned constellation of satellites to be launched through 2010. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 98 deg E in 2000. As of 5 September 2001 located at 98.03 deg E drifting at 0.005 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 97.95E drifting at 0.009W degrees per day.

• 2006 September 12 - Zhongxing 22A - Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Vehicle: CZ-3A. Mass: 2,300 kg (5,000 lb). Perigee: 35,757 km (22,218 mi). Apogee: 35,817 km (22,255 mi). Inclination: 0.40 deg. Period: 1,000.00 min.

  Military communications satellite, launched to replace Zhongxing 22 in geosynchronous orbit at 98.0 E. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 98.10E drifting at 0.006W degrees per day.

• McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Report (Internet Newsletter), Harvard University, Weekly, 1989 to Present. Essential internet newsletter recording worldwide weekly space events. Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.

• Chen Lan, Dragon in Space, . The best source anywhere for information on current news regarding the Chinese space program. Accessed at: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Launchpad/1921/.

• NASA/GSFC Orbital Information Group Website, . Accessed at: http://oig1.gsfc.nasa.gov/.

• Space-Launcher.com, Orbital Report News Agency. Accessed at: http://www.orbireport.com/Log.html.