Long March 3B launches Tianlian-2 (05) satellite to boost space data relay network

China added a new satellite to its geostationary Tianlian data tracking and relay communications satellite series Sunday with its latest launch. A Long March 3B lifted off at 11:54 a.m. Eastern (1554 UTC) April 27 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, southwest China. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) announced the success of the launch around an hour after liftoff. The previously undisclosed payload was confirmed as Tianlian-2 (05) data tracking and relay communications satellite. More

(Source: SpaceNews - Apr 28)