Geostationary
NORAD ID: 38730
Int'l Code: 2012-040A
Perigee: 35,787.0 km
Apogee: 35,800.3 km
Inclination: 1.4 °
Period: 1,436.1 minutes
Semi major axis: 42164 km
Launch date: July 25, 2012
Source: People's Republic of China (PRC)
Comments: TIANLIAN 1-03 is joining its two predecessors to realize global network operation after in-orbit validation and system coordination procedures are carried out. "The first data relay satellite, the Tianlian I-01, was launched in April 2008, and the second was launched in July 2011. The third satellite is expected to improve the network's coverage in providing measurement and control services for China's manned spacecraft as well as the planned construction of future space labs and space stations, according to the center. The network will also offer data relay services for the country's medium- and low-Earth orbits as well as measurement and control support for spacecraft launches. The two-satellite network had previously played a key role in assisting in two space docking missions—an automated one between the Tiangong-1 lab module and the Shenzhou-8 spacecraft in late 2011, and a manual docking between Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou-9 in June.
Two Line Element Set (TLE):
1 38730U 12040A 13144.82577721 .00000105 00000-0 10000-3 0 2285
2 38730 001.4346 271.8116 0001574 226.1683 058.6442 01.00271997 3145
Source: AFSPC
NASA's NSSDC Master Catalog entry for TIANLIAN 1-03
