NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 2017-018A
The 4.6-tonne satellite was developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and is based on the DFH-3B satellite platform. According to state media reports, the satellite will be named Shijian-13 during its test program phase, before being renamed ChinaSat 16 when it is transferred to China SatCom.
The new satellite will test a new electric propulsion system to be used for orbit raising and station keeping at a geosynchronous altitude. It also carries the first high-throughput satellite payload (HTS) developed by China. 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 to date.
Launch Date: 2017-04-12
Launch Vehicle: Long March 3B/E
Launch Site: Xichang, Peoples Republic of China
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office