China to launch Turkmenistan communications satellite in 2014

China is planning to launch a communications satellite in 2014 for the Turkmenistan Government on a Long March-3B carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in south-west China's Sichuan province.

Thales Alenia Space France has developed the satellite based on the Spacebus 4000C2 platform with a lifetime of 15 years.

The French company signed a contract with the China Great Wall Industry Corporation to develop the satellite.

The Turkmenistan Government's first communications satellite, it will have a launch mass in excess of 4.5t and will carry Ku-band transponders.


Source: Industry News - 8 December 2011 - www.aerospace-technology.com

Photo: Spacebus-4000C2 (www.sat-world.net)

(8.12.2011)