TJS-1 (Tongxin Jishu Shiyan-1) CZ-3B/G2, Xichang, September 12, 2015 (15:42 UTC)

[input~2]

This looks like an image of the satellite after separation

This image doesn't seem to show an infra-red sensor, so it could be a simple comsat after all...

[Phillip Clark]

This looks like an image of the satellite after separation

This image doesn't seem to show an infra-red sensor, so it could be a simple comsat after all...

Or it was pointing away from the camera at separation, of course.

[input~2]

English announcement
"China launches communication technology experimental satellite"
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/photo/2015-09/13/c_134618997.htm

[input~2]

[input~2]

This looks like an image of the satellite after separation

This image doesn't seem to show an infra-red sensor, so it could be a simple comsat after all...

Or it was pointing away from the camera at separation, of course.

AFAICT, it looks like an earth facing reflector on the panel in front of the camera

[input~2]

[gosnold]

This looks like an image of the satellite after separation

This image doesn't seem to show an infra-red sensor, so it could be a simple comsat after all...

Or it was pointing away from the camera at separation, of course.

AFAICT, it looks like an earth facing reflector on the panel in front of the camera

What you see must be the adapter ring that holds the satellite to the rocket.

[Nordren]

Fairing found in Suichuan county, Jiangxi province.

[input~2]

If we follow the good old way of pinyin abbreviation, it should be TJSSW (Tongxin Jishu Shiyan
Weixing) rather than TXJSSY.

I think you mean TJSW
SpaceTrack calls it TJS-1

[Phillip Clark]

I am assuming that there's nothing new about the satellite itself: like a shorter name, cutaway diagrams, etc?

I have just been looking at its orbital location and it has been over 154.5 deg E since launch.

[Galactic Penguin SST]

The mystery surrounding TJSW-2 tickled me to revisit what's known about No. 1, and well.....it's intriguing.

It has been officially confirmed that TJSW-1 uses the 1st big mesh antenna on a Chinese satellite:

http://www.yinhexi.la/html/10616.html

http://124.205.131.137/article.action?dgId=1092393879&pageId=7&articleId=65&date=20160413&jsId=138950&products=11000112-1&rightList=1092393879

There was another Chinese official source in 2015 that reported a 32 meter diameter satellite mesh antenna being tested.

Now then, I don't recall any Ka-band comsat flown that uses a mobile communication mesh antenna (someone more well versed in telecom may know why). I also somewhat doubt that an experimental comsat would need "8 years of planning and another 6 years of development" as mentioned in the 2nd link.

Sounds like the Chinese already have a geostationary SIGINT/COMMINT asset in operation for the last 1.5 years.... 

(also remember the deal with the name "Changcheng-1"? Wasn't there a Chinese Great Wall on the 'net?  )

[input~2]

The other name of the satellite, i.e. Qiánshào-3, translates as Outpost/Sentinel/Frontline-3

[input~2]

Spectacular views of CZ-3B 3rd stage reentry over Mauna Kea, HI, around 2 am (Local Time) on January 30, 2016
http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2016/01/31/chinese_rocket_re_entry_caught_by_steve_cullen.html