China expanded its space capabilities with the successful launch of a new geostationary Tianlian data tracking and relay communications satellite. A Long March 3B rocket lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center on April 27, 2025, deploying the Tianlian-2 (05) satellite. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) confirmed the launch's success shortly after.
This satellite, placed into geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO), will eventually settle into a geostationary orbit approximately 35,786 kilometers above the equator. Its primary function will be providing data relay, telemetry, tracking, and command services for crewed spacecraft and the Tiangong space station. It will also support medium and low Earth orbit satellites and launch operations.
Tianlian satellites are crucial components of China's space infrastructure, comparable to the U.S. Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS). The network of Tianlian satellites in various GEO positions ensures near-constant coverage for Tiangong. While earlier Tianlian-1 satellites are now in graveyard orbits, the newer Tianlian-2 satellites, including the recently launched (05), boast improved bandwidth and data transmission rates, along with a longer operational lifespan—up to 15 years.
The Tianlian-2 (05) launch was China's 22nd orbital launch of 2025. This follows the April 24 launch of the Shenzhou-20 crewed mission. The next launch is anticipated to be a Long March 5B carrying a Yuanzheng-2 upper stage, possibly launching the Tianwen-2 mission in late May from Xichang. CASC's lack of a publicized 2025 launch plan suggests a potential increase in launch activity this year, mirroring the trend in previous years.