Chinastar
Program: Chinastar. Objective: Communications. Zhongxing and Zhongwei (Chinastar) communications satellites were orbited by China Orient Telecommunications Satellite Company, part of the Chinese telecommunications ministry. A combination of indigenous and foreign satellites are used. Zhongxing 1 to 4 were apparently some of the earlier DFH-2 and DFH-3 satellites (although more than four reached geosynchronous orbit). Zhongxing 5 was the former Spacenet 1.
Major Events:

  • 1994 February 8 - KF-1.  Spacecraft: DFH-3. Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Vehicle: CZ-3A.

    Mass model of DFH-3 satellite.

  • 1994 November 29 - Zhongxing-5.  Spacecraft: DFH-3. Mass: 2,230 kg (4,910 lb). Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Vehicle: CZ-3A.

    The first test launch of a DFH-3 by a CZ-3A launch vehicle was successful in attaining the proper transfer orbit, but during the subsequent manoeuvres to achieve geostationary orbit, the DFH-3 failed due to a malfunction of the satellite on-board propulsion system. The satellite was positioned at 132 deg E prior to the failure. As of 4 September 2001 located at 113.80 deg E drifting at 2.499 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 2 located at 90.02E drifting at 2.513E degrees per day.

  • 1996 August 18 - Zhongxing 7.  Spacecraft: HS 376. Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Vehicle: CZ-3.

  • 1997 May 11 - Zhongxing-6.  Spacecraft: DFH-3. Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Vehicle: CZ-3A.

    The telecommunications satellite, the most sophisticated and complex satellite ever built in China, was equipped with 24 transponders used for television, digital transmission and other telecommunications services. It had a design life eight years. After over one year of tests the satellite was delivered to the end user, China Telecommunications Broadcast Satellite Corporation (Chinasat) on August 12 1998. A long term operation contract for the redesignated Chinasat-6 was signed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), Chinasat and the Xian Satellite Control Center. Chinasat-6 operated in geosynchronous orbit at 125 deg E in 1997-1999. As of 5 September 2001 located at 124.99 deg E drifting at 0.011 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 6 located at 123.93E drifting at 0.104W degrees per day.

  • 1998 May 30 - Zhongwei 1.  Spacecraft: AS 2100. Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Vehicle: CZ-3B.

    Also known as Chinastar 1; comsat to serve China, India, Korea and Southeast Asia with 18 C-band and 20 Ku-band transponders. Operated by the China Orient Telecommunications Satellite Company, part of the Chinese telecommunications ministry. Zhongwei 1 and the CZ-3B's final liquid hydrogen upper stage were placed in an initial supersynchronous 216 x 85,035 km x 24.4 deg transfer orbit. Geostationary at 87.6 degrees E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 87 deg E in 1998-1999 As of 6 September 2001 located at 87.49 deg E drifting at 0.013 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 87.64E drifting at 0.010W degrees per day.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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