ChinaSat () is the brand name of communications satellites operated by China Satellite Communications.
History In 2007, a joint venture China Direct Broadcast Satellite was formed to run the brand ChinaSat. It was a joint venture of state-owned companies China Satellite Communications, China Orient Telecommunications Satellite and Sino Satellite Communications. The latter was controlled by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). However, China Satellite Communications was changed from a direct subsidiary of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) to a direct subsidiary of CASC in 2009, the joint venture was dissolved and Sino Satellite Communications became a subsidiary of China Satellite Communications.
The brand ChinaSat was previously operated by China Telecommunications Broadcast Satellite Corporation, which was owned by China's Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. China Telecommunications Broadcast Satellite Corporation was merged with other state-owned companies to form China Satellite Communications Corporation circa 2000.
Satellites formerly operated by Sino Satellite Communications and China Orient Telecommunications Satellite were renamed with ChinaSat designations following the acquisition of China Satellite Communications by CASC. ChinaStar 1 became ChinaSat 5A, SinoSat 1 became ChinaSat 5B, and SinoSat 3 became ChinaSat 5C.
Satellites SatelliteLaunch DateLaunch siteLauncherMassStatusNote ChinaSat 1 (DFH-2A 2) 07 March 1988 Xichang, LA-3 Long March 3 ChinaSat 2 (DFH-2A 3) 22 December 1988 Xichang, LA-3 Long March 3 ChinaSat 3 (DFH-2A 4) 04 February 1990 Xichang, LA-3 Long March 3 ChinaSat 4 (DFH-2A 5) 28 December 1991 Xichang, LA-3 Long March 3 ChinaSat 1A (FH-2A) 18 September 2011 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 1B (FH-2B) Xichang Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 1C (FH-2C) 09 December 2015 Xichang, LA-3 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 1D (FH-2D) 26 November 2021 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 1E (FH-2E) 13 September 2022 Wenchang, LC-2 Long March 7A ChinaSat 2A (ST-2A) 26 May 2012 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 2B (ST-2B) Xichang Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 2C (ST-2C) 03 November 2015 Xichang, LA-3 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 2D (ST-2D) 10 January 2019 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 2E (ST-2E) 05 August 2021 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 3A (FH-3A) 29 July 2024 Wenchang, LC-2 Long March 7A ChinaSat 3B (FH-3B) 20 May 2025 Wenchang, LC-2 Long March 7A ChinaSat 4A (ST-3A) 22 August 2024 Wenchang, LC-2 Long March 7A ChinaSat 4B (ST-3B) 10 August 2026 Wenchang, LC-2 Long March 7A ChinaSat 5 (Spacenet 1) 23 May 1984 Kourou, ELA-1 Ariane 1 ChinaSat 5R (Spacenet 2) 10 November 1984 Kourou, ELA-1 Ariane 3 ChinaSat 5A (ChinaStar-1/APStar-9A) 30 May 1998 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3B ChinaSat 5B (Sinosat-1/PSN-5) 18 July 1998 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3B ChinaSat 5C (Sinosat 3/Eutelsat 3A/Eutelsat 8 West D) 31 May 2007 Xichang, LA-3 Long March 3A ChinaSat 5D (APStar 1A) 03 July 1996 Xichang, LC-3 Long March 3 ChinaSat 5E (APStar 1) 21 July 1994 Xichang, LC-3 Long March 3 ChinaSat 6 (DFH-3 2) 11 May 1997 Xichang, LC-2 Long March 3A ChinaSat 6A (Sinosat-6) 04 September 2010 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 6B 05 July 2007 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3B ChinaSat 6C 09 March 2019 Xichang, LA-3 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 6D 15 April 2022 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 6E 09 November 2023 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 7 (HGS-2) 18 August 1996 Xichang, LA-3 Long March 3 ChinaSat 9 09 June 2008 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 9A 18 June 2017 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 9B 09 September 2021 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 9C 20 June 2025 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 10 20 June 2011 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 10R 22 February 2025 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 11 01 May 2013 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 12/APStar 7B (SupremeSat 1/ChinaSat 15A) 27 November 2012 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 15/Belintersat 1 15 January 2016 Xichang, LA-3 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 16/Shijian 13 12 April 2017 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 18 12 August 2017 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 19 05 November 2022 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 20 (ST-1) 14 November 2003 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3A ChinaSat 20A (ST-1B) 24 November 2010 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3A ChinaSat 22 (FH-1A) 14 January 2000 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3A ChinaSat 22A (FH-1B) 14 September 2006 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3A ChinaSat 26 23 February 2023 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 27 2027 Xichang, LA-2 Long March 3B/E ChinaSat 1A to 1E The Zhongxing-1x (or ChinaSat-1x) series includes four spacecraft as of September 2022. Despite the ChinaSat designation the satellites are reportedly to be Fenghuo-2 military communications satellites manufactured by CAST and based on the DFH-4 satellite bus. They follow the first generation of Fenghuo satellites, namely ChinaSat 22 and ChinaSat 22A. The first three satellites have been launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center using Long March-3B/G2 rockets while the fourth one has been launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Site using a Long March 7A rocket, and in particular: ChinaSat 1A was launched on 18 September 2011 at 16:33 UTC ChinaSat 1C was launched on 9 December 2015 at 16:46 UTC ChinaSat 1D was launched on 26 November 2021 at 16:40 UTC ChinaSat 1E was launched on 13 September 2022 at 13:18 UTC The shift to a different launcher for the fourth satellite capable of carrying a greater mass to the intended geosynchronous orbit could indicate the use of a bigger and heavier satellite bus, possibly an upgraded version of the previously used DFH-4 bus.
ChinaSat 2A ChinaSat 2A was launched in 2012.2012 - Launches to Orbit and Beyond
ChinaSat 2D Zhongxing-2D (or ChinaSat-2D) was launched at 17:05 UTC on 10 January 2019 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center using a Long March-3B/G3 from the LA-2 launch complex.Long March 3B lofts Chinasat-2D
ChinaSat 2E Zhongxing-2E (or ChinaSat-2E) was launched at 16:30 UTC on 5 August 2021 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center using a Long March-3B/G3 from the LA-2 launch complex. The satellite is a military communication satellite and its real name is Shentong 2-05, with the ChinaSat denomination being a cover name.
ChinaSat 3A/3B Zhongxing 3A (or ChinaSat 3A) is the first of a new series of ChinaSat satellites, successfully launched on 29 June 2024 from the Wenchang Space Launch Site on a Long March 7A launch vehicle. Manufactured by CAST and officially described as a generic GEO communications satellite, it is speculated that this new series is composed of military communications satellites of a kind similar to the ChinaSat 1x ones with a Fenghuo 3 designation. A second satellite, Zhongxing 3B (or ChinaSat 3B), was launched on 20 May 2025 from the Wenchang Space Launch Site on a Long March 7A launch vehicle.
ChinaSat 4A Zhongxing 4A (or ChinaSat 4A) is the first of a new series of satellites believed to be new series of Shen Tong military communications satellites. It was launched on 22 August 2024 from the Wenchang Space Launch Site on a Long March 7A launch vehicle.
ChinaSat 4B ChinaSat 4B launched on 10 August 2026 from the Wenchang Space Launch Site on a Long March 7A launch vehicle. Eighty-five seconds into the launch, the rocket exploded, destroying the satellite.
ChinaSat 5A ChinaSat 5A was launched in 1998, formerly known as ChinaStar 1. It was leased to China Satellite Communications's subsidiary APT Satellite Holdings and renamed to Apstar 9A on 9 January 2014.
ChinaSat 5B ChinaSat 5B was launched in 1998, formerly known as Sinosat 1. It was sold to Pasifik Satelit Nusantara in 2012.
ChinaSat 5C ChinaSat 5C was launched in 2007, formerly known as SinoSat 3. It was leased to Eutelsat in 2011 (as Eutelsat 3A and then Eutelsat 8 West D).
ChinaSat 5D ChinaSat 5D was launched in 1996, formerly known as Apstar 1A. It was placed in geosynchronous orbit at a longitude of 51.5° East circa 2009. It was acquired by China Satellite Communications from subsidiary APT Satellite Holdings.
ChinaSat 5E ChinaSat 5E was launched in 1994, formerly known as Apstar 1. It was placed in geosynchronous orbit at a longitude of 142° East and moved to 163° East circa 2012. It was acquired by China Satellite Communications from subsidiary APT Satellite Holdings.
ChinaSat 6 to 6E The Zhongxing 6 (Chinasat 6) family is composed of geostationary communication satellites providing commercial services for TV and radio networks and as of 2023 it counts six launched satellites.
The first of the group, ChinaSat 6 (ZX 6, DHF-3 2), is based as its predecessor (DHF-3 1) on the DHF-3 satellite bus. DHF-3 1 was launched on 29 November 1994 but didn't reach its intended orbit and was declared lost, while ChinaSat 6 was launched on 11 May 1997 and reached its intended orbit but experienced technical malfunctions that could reduce its operational life. Both launches took place in Xichang Satellite Launch Center using Long March 3A rockets.
ChinaSat 6A (ZX 6A) was launched in 2010. Formerly known as SinoSat 6, it's a communications satellite based on the DFH-4 satellite bus. It was launched on 4 September 2010 at 16:14 UTC from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center using a Long March 3B rocket, but after launch the satellite suffered problems in the helium pressurization system, which lead to a significant reduction of the operational life to only 11 years.
The ChinaSat 6B (ZX 6B) satellite was manufactured by Thales Alenia Space, based on the Spacebus 4000C2 platform. It had 38 transponders, and was used for TV transmissions and shortwave jamming across China, Southeast Asia, the Pacific and Oceania. It had a planned useful life of 15 years which ended in 2023. The launch, on a Long March 3B launch vehicle, was successfully conducted on 5 July 2007. The broadcast was used for some shortwave radio jamming purposes in China was carried on one of the Chinasat 6B transponders.
United States ITAR restrictions prohibited the export of satellite components for satellites launched on Chinese rockets. In response, Thales Alenia built ChinaSat 6B as an ITAR-free satellite, containing no restricted U.S. satellite components. However, the U.S. Department of State did not accept the ITAR-free status of these satellites and fined the U.S. company Aeroflex US$8 million for exporting satellite components. In 2013, Thales Alenia discontinued its ITAR-free satellite line.
Because of the problems encountered with ChinaSat 6B the construction of ChinaSat 6C (ZX 6C) was taken over by CAST with the satellite being based on the same bus of ChinaSat 6A. The satellite provides commercial communications services with twenty-five C-band transponders and supports high-quality and reliable uplink and downlink transmissions of programs for the radio and TV stations and cable TV networks. It was successfully launched onboard a CZ-3B/G3 launch vehicle on 9 March 2019 and it has since been positioned at the orbital slot of 130° East. On 26 December 2023, the satellite suffered malfunction to its thrusters and could not be repaired. Its condition remains healthy after efforts to stabilize the satellite were successful, however its lifespan has been reduced.
The next two satellites have been built using the upgraded DHF-4E bus and served as replacements for other satellites of the same family.
ChinaSat 6D (ZX-6D) was launched on 15 April 2022 at 12:00 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center using a Long March 3B/E ad it is intended to replace ChinaSat 6A in its shortened than envisioned life span. It is equipped with twenty-five C-band transponders and it is positioned at the orbital slot of 130° East.