Tiankun-1

Tiankun-1 (also known as TK-1) is a Chinese experimental technology demonstration satellite developed, operated, and launched by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC). It was launched on March 2, 2017, and is designed in order to test its satellite bus,^[5][6] as well as small satellite operations.^[7] The satellite decayed from orbit on 7 July 2023.^[4]

Tiankun-1

Names	TK-1
Mission type	Technology demonstration
Operator	CASIC
COSPAR ID	2017-012A[1]
SATCAT no.	42061[1]
Mission duration	6 years, 4 months and 5 days (elapsed)
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer	CASIC
Launch mass	50 kg (110 lb)[2]
Start of mission
Launch date	March 2, 2017 (2017-03-02)
Rocket	Kaituozhe-2
Launch site	Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center[3]
Contractor	CASIC
End of mission
Decay date	7 July 2023[4]
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric
Regime	Low Earth
Semi-major axis	6,766 km (4,204 mi)
Perigee altitude	373.3 km (232.0 mi)
Apogee altitude	417.3 km (259.3 mi)
Inclination	97.2°
Period	92.3 minutes

Design

Tiankun-1 is a small satellite designed to test technologies meant for satellites of such sizes, as well as experiment with the operation of small satellites. With its small launch vehicles, China hopes to be able to get a share in the international small satellite launch market.^[3][7]

Tiankun-1's mission is to test out its satellite bus and performance in orbit. It would also be used for testing remote sensing and telecommunications technologies, as well as test out minisatellite-based experiments and operations. It is the first spacecraft to be developed by the CASIC as part of its plans to expand its commercial space plans.^[6][7]

Launch

Tiankun-1 was launched on board a Kaituozhe-2 rocket, which is a then-new small launch vehicle. It launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on March 2, 2017, at 07:53 CST (23:53 UTC) into a polar orbit. It was the Kaituozhe-2's first launch, and its first successful one. It was launched to a low Earth orbit with a perigee of 373.3 km (232.0 mi), an apogee of 417.3 km (259.3 mi) and an inclination of 97.2°.^[1][2]