BEIJING, Feb. 1 (China Space News) — Shijian-13, China’s first high-throughput communications satellite, has been put into service after completing a key laser communication test, China National Space Administration said Tuesday.
The high-orbit satellite has finished a two-way high-speed laser communication test between the satellite and ground, the first of its kind in the world, the administration said in a statement.
Shijian-13, launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China’s Sichuan Province in 2017, has a transfer capacity of 20 Gbps and a designed orbital life of 15 years.
The satellite, named Zhongxing-16 after it was put into service, will provide better Internet access on planes and high-speed trains with a maximum download capacity of 150 Mbps and upload capacity of 12 Mbps, according to the statement.
