China Readies Satellite Replacement for Failed SinoSat-2

BEIJING, Dec. 1, 2006/Satnews Daily/ ― China is drafting a plan to replace the failed Sinosat-2, China's first direct-to-home broadcasting satellite.

According to a report from Xinhua news agency, the substitute satellite will not be a carbon copy of the previous one but will have more technical upgrades.

The report is an admission of the failure of Sinosat-2, which the Chinese authorities have never confirmed. Quoting a spokesman from the Chinese Research Institute of Space Technology (CRIST), which developed Sinosat-2, Xinhua reported that SinoSat-2 suffered a technical failure on Nov. 8 when the solar power panels stopped working.

Spokesman Fan Xinming of CRIST was quoted as saying “the spacecraft was unable to provide broadcasting and telecommunications services.”

SinoSat-2 was to offer digital TV, live broadcast TV and digital broadband multimedia systems on the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. Launched on October 29, it was supposed to operate for 15 years.

 
“High risks are characteristic of the space industry. Many other satellite operators in China and overseas have suffered similar mishaps before,” Fan said. He added SinoSat-2 is now located in a quasi-GEO orbit and further investigations are being conducted into the manufacturing faults.

Fan also announced that SinoSat-3, dedicated to radio and television services, would be launched in May next year. He said the research and preparation for the new satellite have been going smoothly.

Recent Stories:

Report Says China’s SinoSat-2 Satellite Fails

China Launches Telecom Satellite

China to Launch 9 Satellites in 2006

China Unicom Taps Gilat Broadband Satellite Equipment