DFH-4 / DFH-4E GEO Satellite Platform
China Academy of Space Technology (CAST)
CAST's most widely deployed commercial GEO satellite bus, used for Chinese and international communications satellites with 45-50 transponders and 10+ kW power.
Key figurescomparable across the catalogue
- Power
- 8,000 W
- Design life
- 15 years
Normalised to common units so this product can be compared with others in its category. The supplier's own wording is below.
As published by the supplier
- Orbit
- GEO (geostationary)
- Payload Power
- 8–10.5 kW (DFH-4E variant)
- Transponders
- 45–50 active
- Stabilization
- 3-axis, xenon ion station-keeping
- Design Lifetime
- 15 years
- Bands Supported
- Ku, Ka, C, L-band
- Export Markets
- Nigeria, Venezuela, Pakistan, Laos, Belarus, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, others
About
The DFH-4 (Dongfanghong-4) is China Academy of Space Technology’s (CAST) flagship geostationary satellite bus, used for both domestic Chinese telecommunications satellites and export sales to international customers through China Great Wall Industry Corporation. The DFH-4E (Enhanced) variant extends performance with payload power up to 10.5 kW and 50+ active transponders.
DFH-4 satellites use three-axis stabilization with xenon-ion electric propulsion for station-keeping. The bus supports Ku-band, Ka-band, C-band, and L-band payloads, making it versatile for DTH broadcasting, broadband internet, VSAT, mobile satellite services, and government communications. Operational lifetime is designed for 15 years.
DFH-4 satellites have been exported to Nigeria (NigeriaSat), Venezuela (VRSS), Pakistan (PAKSAT), Laos (LaoSat), Belarus (BelInterSat), Algeria (Alcomsat), and Saudi Arabia (Saudi Arabsat series co-manufactured with Airbus). The platform competes with Boeing 702, Airbus Eurostar, and Thales Alenia Spacebus in the commercial GEO satellite market.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.