The DFH-3 satellite is a medium-capacity geostationary communications satellite based
on the DFH-3 Bus (three-axis-stabilized
telecommunications satellite platform). The 2200 kg satellite carries 24 C-band
transponders, providing six television channels and 18 communications transmission
channels. It has a power supply of 2 kW and a design life of 8 years.
On 29 November, DFH-3 1was launched, entering GTO precisely as planned. Unfortunately,
however, the apogee kick stage malfunctioned, causing Chinese officials to use the
spacecraft's propulsion system to lift the vehicle into a sub-geosynchronous orbit where
the spacecraft was declared lost.
The second DFH-3 satellite was launched on 12 May 1997 and got to its orbital slot
thereafter. It has experienced malfunctions in attitude stabilisation which resulted in
excessive fuel consumption that may reduce its operational life. It is currently operating
normally.
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