# TIANLIAN 1-03

> 38730

**Wikidata**: [Q10940781](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10940781)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tianlian-1-03

## Summary
TIANLIAN 1-03 is a Chinese artificial satellite and part of the Tianlian I series of data tracking and relay communications satellites. Launched on July 25, 2012, aboard a Long March 3C rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, it serves as a critical component of China's space-based communications infrastructure. Its primary role is to relay data between satellites, spacecraft, and ground stations.

## Key Facts
- **COSPAR ID**: 2012-040A  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 38730  
- **Launch Date**: July 25, 2012  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Long March 3C rocket  
- **Launch Site**: Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China  
- **Class**: Artificial satellite; part of the Tianlian I series (established in 2003)  
- **Country of Origin**: People's Republic of China  

## FAQs
### Q: When was TIANLIAN 1-03 launched?
A: TIANLIAN 1-03 was launched on July 25, 2012, from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China.

### Q: What is the purpose of the Tianlian I satellite series?
A: The Tianlian I series, including TIANLIAN 1-03, provides data tracking and relay communications services to support China's space missions, such as satellite operations and crewed spaceflight.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch TIANLIAN 1-03?
A: The satellite was launched using a Long March 3C orbital carrier rocket, a member of China's Long March rocket family.

## Why It Matters
TIANLIAN 1-03 plays a vital role in China's space infrastructure by enabling reliable communication between satellites, spacecraft, and ground control systems. As part of the Tianlian I series, it supports critical missions, including crewed spaceflights and satellite operations, by relaying real-time data across vast distances. This capability is essential for the coordination and success of China's expanding space program, ensuring continuous transmission of scientific, navigational, and operational information. The satellite's deployment underscores China's advancements in space-based communication technologies and its commitment to maintaining a robust and autonomous space network.

## Notable For
- **Relay Communications**: Serves as a data relay satellite, enhancing communication between space-based assets and ground stations.  
- **Long March 3C Launch**: Utilized China's Long March 3C rocket, demonstrating the reliability of domestic launch systems.  
- **Tianlian I Series**: Part of a series initiated in 2003, reflecting China's sustained investment in satellite communication infrastructure.  
- **Geostationary Role**: Likely operates in a geostationary orbit to provide continuous coverage of specific regions.  

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date**: July 25, 2012  
- **Launch Site**: Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Sichuan Province, China  
- **Rocket**: Long March 3C (a variant of the Long March 3 rocket family)  

### Technical Specifications
- **Identifier**: COSPAR ID 2012-040A, SCN 38730  
- **Classification**: Artificial satellite; Tianlian I-series communications relay satellite  

### Mission Purpose
- **Primary Function**: Data tracking and relay communications for China's space missions.  
- **Operational Role**: Facilitates real-time communication between satellites, crewed spacecraft (e.g., Shenzhou), and ground control centers.  

### Related Entities
- **Series**: Tianlian I (established in 2003)  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Long March 3C, developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT)  
- **Comparative Satellites**: Similar in function to NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS).  

### Context
- **National Significance**: Represents China's efforts to develop independent space communication capabilities, reducing reliance on foreign systems.  
- **Programmatic Impact**: Supports the growing scale and complexity of China's space activities, including lunar missions, satellite constellations, and crewed spaceflight programs.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report