Abstract
Communications satellites are an important line of development of the Chinese space program. In 1984, China launched its first communications satellite – the beginning of a series that has brought television and modem communications to the whole Chinese landmass. This began the Dong Fang Hong series of communications satellites, now at Dong Fang Hong 4, with numerous derivatives (e.g. Feng Huo, Tian Lian). China attempted to open its space program to launching Western satellites, but this became the occasion of a prolonged and acrimonious stand-off with the United States which continues to the present day. Despite this, China has launched several comsats for foreign customers, like Nigeria and Venezuela, with more to follow.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Clark, P. China’s DFH-2 and DFH-2A Communications Satellites Program. JBIS, 54 (2001); Clark, P.S. The Chinese Space Program: An Overview, pp. 124– 127. Molniya Space Consultancy (1996).
For a guide to the events of the period and their political background, see Lamb, R.D. Satellites, Security and Scandal: Understanding the Politics of Export Control. Centre for International and Security Studies, University of Maryland (2005); for the Cox report, see United States House of Representatives. US National Security and Military/Commercial Concerns with the People’s Republic of China, Submitted by Mr Cox of California, Chairman. Report 105/851, US Government Printing Office, Washington, DC (1999).
For an examination of the issues around Chinese-American relationships, see Kulacki, G.; Lewis, J. A Place for One’s Mat: China’s Space Program, 1956– 2003. American Academy of Arts & Sciences, Cambridge, MA (2009); Sterner, E.R. Dragon in Sheep’s Clothing? Aviation Week & Space Technology, 23 November 2009; Ritter, P. The New Space Race: China vs US. Time, 14 February 2008; Handberg, R.; Li, Z. Chinese Space Policy: A Study in Domestic and International Politics. Abingdon, Routledge (2007); Oberg, J. The US and China: What Common Ground in Outer Space? Paper presented at the Centre for Asian Strategic Studies, Keystone, Colorado, 27 June 2006; Lan, Chen. Hard Road to Commercial Space. Spaceflight, 48 (11) (2006).
For contemporary coverage of Sinosat 2, see Sino Setback: Advanced Chinese Space Technology Initiative Is Off to a Disastrous Star Aviation Week & Space Technology, 4 December 2006; see also Zhao Changyun et al. Progress in Space Débris Research. In: Jiang, Mianheng (ed.), Space Activities in China 2008–2010, National Report. Report to COSPAR, Beijing (2010).
Yardley, J. Blocked by US, China Finds Its Own Way in Space. International Herald Tribune, 23 May 2007; ESD. European Space Directory, 2012. ESD, Paris (2012).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Harvey, B. (2013). Communications satellites. In: China in Space. Springer Praxis Books(). Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5043-6_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5043-6_5
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-5042-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-5043-6
eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyPhysics and Astronomy (R0)