Tianlian I, China's First Relay Satellite, is Launched on April 25, 2008

Tianlian I, China's first relay satellite, is launched on April 25, 2008. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

Tianlian I, China's first relay satellite, is launched on April 25, 2008

Tianlian I, China's first relay satellite, was launched on April 25, 2008, which enlarged China's space-based coverage from 12 percent to 60 percent.

The satellite, generally developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, was the first geosynchronous relay satellite system in China.

Its successful launching made China the second country after the US that had established a relay satellite system that can cover the whole world and offer transmission service for satellites operating in medium-and low-Earth orbit.

Later in 2011 and 2012, Tianlian I-02 and Tianlian I-03 were launched.

(Executive editor: Li Shuling)