Long March-3B launches TianLian-2 02

A Long March-3B rocket launched the TianLian-2 02 satellite (天链二号02星) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Sichuan Province, southwest China, on 13 December 2021, at 16:09 UTC (14 December, at 00:09 local time). According to official sources, the satellite entered the desired orbit. TianLian-2 02 is the second satellite of China’s second-generation data relay satellite system. The satellite will form a network with TianLian-1 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 and TianLian-2 01, providing global coverage for data relay and transmission services, supporting communications between the China Space Station and the mission control center in Beijing. Credit: China Media Group(CMG)/China Central Television (CCTV)/China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)