Long March 3B | Shijian-13/Chinasat-16

This is a Chinese experimental geostationary communications satellite. Besides testing the electric propulsion, the satellite is also reported to carry Chinas first high-throughput satellite payload (HTS), with a capacity of 20 GB per second. The satellite is aiming to provide Ka-band satellite broadband and multimedia services. Additionally it is also to conduct space-to-ground laser communications experiments.

Mission Details

  • Launch date: April 12, 2017 at 11:04 AM UTC
  • Launch vehicle: Long March 3B
  • Operator: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
  • Launch site: Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
  • Mission type: Communications