DFH-4 Geostationary Satellite Platform
China's primary GEO telecommunications satellite bus, with 28 active transponders and 15-year design life.
Technical specifications
- Orbit
- Geostationary
- Platform Power
- 10.5 kW (EOL)
- Active Transponders
- up to 50
- Frequency Bands
- C / Ku / Ka
- Launch Mass
- ~5,200 kg
- Design Lifetime
- 15 years
About
The DFH-4 (Dongfanghong-4) is CAST’s flagship geostationary satellite platform, designed for high-power telecommunications, direct-to-home broadcasting, and broadband internet services. Available commercially via CASC’s satellite export program, DFH-4 has been selected by customers from Venezuela, Pakistan, Belarus, Laos, Nigeria, and Bolivia.
The platform supports up to 50 active transponders across C, Ku, and Ka-Band, with total satellite power of 10.5 kW. The triple-junction solar arrays generate approximately 10.5 kW of power at end-of-life, supporting high-throughput payloads. The all-electric or chemical-electric propulsion options allow flexible mass and lifetime configurations.
DFH-4 satellites are typically launched on Long March 3B/E or 3C rockets from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, with CAST handling integration, testing, and launch campaign support.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.