Launch of satellite marks new communications era

Technology makes transmission of high-resolution video possible

China launched its most advanced communications satellite at 7:04 pm on Wednesday, marking the start of the country's large-capacity communications network in space.

Shijian 13, which was developed by the China Academy of Space Technology and based on its DFH-3B communications satellite platform, was lifted atop by a Long March 3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province.

The satellite, which weighs 4.6 metric tons, is expected to stay for 15 years in a geostationary orbit about 36,000 kilometers above Earth, the academy said.

The satellite features a Ka-band broadband communications system capable of transmitting 20 gigabytes of data per second, making it the most powerful communications satellite the nation has developed.

Zhao Jian, a space program official at the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, which oversees China's space programs, said the transmission capacity of Shijian 13 exceeds the total capacity of all of the country's previous communications satellites.

He said that in addition to its communications missions, the satellite will also be tasked with conducting space-to-ground laser communications experiments.

Zhou Zhicheng, head of the China Academy of Space Technology's Institute of Telecommunication Satellite, said Shijian 13 would use electric propulsion after it enters orbit, which will extensively reduce the chemical fuel the satellite carries.

Currently, most satellites rely on chemical propulsion, which requires a lot of fuel that occupies a large proportion of carrying capacity, and restricts the number and weight of scientific instruments a satellite can carry.

Zhou said Shijian 13 is able to cover most parts of China's land territory and will help to enable passengers on jetliners and high-speed trains to use the internet.

The use of Ka-band broadband allows Shijian 13 to transmit high-resolution video, a feature that previous Chinese satellites do not have. In addition, the Ka-band handheld devices are smaller and more portable than those based on other frequencies, which means they are more convenient to carry and use, Zhou said.

He added that developing nations have huge demand for DFH-3B-based communications satellites such as Shijian 13, not only because of its capability, but also because it can accommodate various kinds of equipment in accordance with clients' requirements.

The academy has made seven communications satellites for overseas users, including Pakistan, Venezuela and Laos, and is finalizing export contracts for more than 10 such satellites, he said.

However, Zhou said China still needs to catch up with the top developers of communications satellites in the United States and Europe, such as Boeing and Thales Alenia Space, when it comes to satellite technology and capacity.

In response, the country will develop several new types of advanced communications satellites, including multimedia broadcasting satellites and ultra-large-capacity broadband satellites, he said.

In June, the Shijian 18 communications satellite, the first to be developed based on China's new-generation DFH-5 satellite platform, will be launched by a Long March 5 heavy-lift rocket at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province, according to Zhao.

He said the overall capability of the Shijian 18 will be better than that of all communications satellites currently used by other nations, and its service will improve internet connectivity and accessibility for Chinese users as well as reduce users' costs.

China now operates 16 communications satellites, according to Zhou.