Tianlian-2 06

A lightning bolt struck the Long March 3B about 30 seconds after liftoff from Xichang, but the rocket flew on and delivered its payload to the planned geostationary transfer orbit.

The satellite adds capacity to China's second-generation Tianlian relay network, which keeps the Tiangong station, Shenzhou crews, and low-orbit remote-sensing satellites in contact with ground control when they pass beyond range of domestic tracking stations.