In response to the growing demand of the regional market, Sinosat was adding a new member, Xinnuo 2 (Sinosat 2), to its fleet of satellites. With 24 Ku-band transponders on board, Sinosat-2 was the first spacecraft based on the chinese high power satellite platform, known as DFH-4.
To ensure the time schedule and performance requirements, the telecommunication payload of the Sinosat-2 payload was imported from Alcatel.
Sinosat-2 was to be delivered in the first half of 2005. Launched in October 2006, the lifetime of Sinosat-2 was to be 15 years. The new satellite will serve the need for TV broadcasting, DirectPC and broadband multimedia systems in China as well as the neighboring areas.
Reportedly the satellite failed to deploy its solar arays after reaching geostationary orbit.
A replacement satellite called Xinnuo 4 (Sinosat 4) was due to be launched in late 2008, but has been delayed to 2011. In 2010, the satellite was taken over by China Satcom and renamed ZX 9A (ChinaSat 9A) and still further delayed. Reportedly parts produced for ZX 9A have been used for other satellites. ZX 9A was eventually launched in June 2017, but did not reach the correct orbit due to a launch vehicle upper stage issue. The satellite will be able to reach its geostationary orbit, albeit at the expense of ten years lifespan.
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