China's Data Relay Satellite System and Its Application Prospect

The development course,characteristics,application practice and contribution of China's Tianlian(Space Link)-1 data relay satellite system are described.The proposals for technical deve-lopment on the system level and satellite level including optimizing system design,increasing work efficiency,enlarging coverage range,advanced payload and platform techniques concerned are given.The future application possibilities on GTO/GEO spacecraft,reentry communication,deep space communication and operation of special satellite constellation are discussed.