NEWTOWN, Conn. - China has successfully marketed the DFH-4 to developing countries by offering satellite design and manufacturing, launch services, and launch insurance as a single package. The DFH-4 bus also has domestic customers in China, such as China Direct Broadcast Satellite Co Ltd (ChinaSat) and APT Satellite. The older DFH-3 also continues to generate sales. Its smaller size make it cheaper than the larger, more capable DFH-4. It forms the basis of China's Beidou navigation satellites as well as communications birds such as LaoSat-1.
Nigeria, Pakistan, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Laos have recently taken delivery of DFH buses. Sri Lanka, Bolivia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nicaragua will take delivery of satellites during the forecast period. Chinese company ChinaSat is also a major customer. The satellite bus will continue to compete, and will likely receive additional contract awards during the forecast period.
China also continues to upgrade the spacecraft bus. The Chinese Academy of Space Technology (CAST) plans to introduce two new variants of the DFH-4: a smaller version dubbed the DFH-4S and a larger DFH-4E. ChinaSat 16 will be based on the DFH-4E bus. The different variants will enable China to match satellites with specific performance and price requirements for different customers. China also plans to introduce an all-new DFH platform, designated DFH-5.
China's decision to expand its satellite navigation system on the scale of the U.S. Global Positioning System boosted production of the DFH family of satellites. China plans to use DFH-3 as the basis for Beidou. Beginning in 2015, China started launching the third generation Beiodou spacecraft, which feature longer lifespans and higher accuracy. China plans to launch between 30 and 35 Compass satellites, which will accommodate both civilian and military users.
A combination of commercial and military sales will drive DFH production during the forecast period.
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