Published : 2025-06-09
On June 9, 2008, China's Zhongxing-9 (中星9號) satellite was launched into space.
Zhongxing-9 is a broadcast television live satellite ordered by China from France, operated by China Satellite Communications. It is China's first truly dedicated television broadcast satellite.
After its deployment, Zhongxing-9 was first be used for the "Radio and TV Programmes for Each Village Project" project.
Live broadcast satellite transmission offers many channels with high reception quality, making it the most economical, convenient, and effective way for rural areas to watch television.
It can fundamentally solve the issue of accessing radio and television broadcasts in remote regions through technical means.
China initiated the "Radio and TV Programmes for Each Village Project" project in early 1998, aiming for a population coverage rate of 84% for the first set of central radio programmes, 82% for China Central Television CCTV-1, and 68% for CCTV-7 by the time of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
A total investment of RMB 10.8 billion is required to complete the project.
Equipped with 22 Ku-band transponders, Zhongxing-9 has a power output of 11,000 watts, a designed lifespan of 15 years, and remains in good condition in orbit with a user base exceeding 130 million people.
