China plans to launch its first electric propulsion communication satellite into orbit around the year 2020, indicating that China has squeezed into the international electric propulsion communication satellite market following the United States, Russia, Europe and Japan.

Wang Min, deputy chief designer of the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) communication satellite, was quoted by Xinhua as saying that the satellite is designed to provide broadband communication services to China and its neighboring regions.

As one of the most advanced space technologies, electric propulsion is capable of sending humans into deep space at a lower cost than other forms of propulsion. It uses only a tenth of the propellant required by conventional systems, and helps increase the operational life of satellites to a maximum of 20 years.

"The weight of the satellite can be greatly reduced, so a rocket can send two satellites into orbit at the same time; or we can launch a cheap, small rocket to carry the satellite, which will provide significant savings on launch costs", said Wang Min.

China is currently working on a hybrid propulsion communication satellite and plans to launch it at the end of 2016.

The electric thrusters developed by China currently generate up to 5kW, and by the end of the 2020, China is expected to build 50kW electric thrusters.

Electric propulsion technology will play an important role especially in manned deep space exploration.