Dong Fang Hong 2

Dongfanghong II was a primary television satellite used by China during the later part of the 20th century. It was developed at the Chinese Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and had a design life 4.5 years. The first satellite in this group was launched into a geosynchronous orbit on April 8, 1984. Broadcasts from these satellites were able to cover all of China and some neighboring regions.

Three satellites orbited in geosynchronous orbits at 87.5, 110.5, and 98 degrees east. A fourth satellite failed to achieve a stable orbit due to a problem with the third stage.

Satellite design

The satellite was cylindrical with a height of 8.5 m (28 ft), a diameter of 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) and weighed 441 kilograms (972 lb).

The Dongfanghong II A satellite used a parabolic communications antenna mounted to the top of the satellite for broadcast purposes. The antenna could be rotated to keep it aligned with the Earth. Twenty-thousand solar cells were mounted to the satellite to provide power. This was China's first successful use of photovoltaic technology.

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