Long March 3B

Long March 3B
source
Name	Long March 3B
Country	China
Manufacturer	China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology
Launch site	Xichang Satellite Launch Center
Total launches	84
Success rate	95.24%

Long March 3B is a Chinese orbital launch vehicle developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology and operated by the China Great Wall Industry Corporation. The Long March 3B is a heavy-lift launch vehicle used for launching communications satellites, navigation satellites, and other spacecraft into geostationary transfer orbit and other orbits. The vehicle is launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province, China. The Long March 3B has been used to launch numerous satellites for China, including the Beidou navigation system and the Chinasat series of communications satellites.

Introduction

The Long March 3B is part of the Long March (rocket family), which has been used for numerous space missions since its introduction in the 1970s. The Long March 3B is a three-stage launch vehicle, with a liquid-fueled rocket first stage, a liquid-fueled rocket second stage, and a cryogenic rocket engine third stage. The vehicle is capable of launching payloads of up to 5,500 kilograms into geostationary transfer orbit. The Long March 3B has been used to launch satellites for China, as well as for other countries, including France, Germany, and Indonesia. The vehicle has also been used to launch spacecraft for the European Space Agency, including the Rosetta (spacecraft) and the Gaia (spacecraft).

Design and Development

The Long March 3B was developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, which is a subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The vehicle is based on the Long March 3, which was first launched in 1984. The Long March 3B features a number of upgrades, including a more powerful first stage and a new third stage. The vehicle is powered by a combination of liquid-fueled rocket engines and cryogenic rocket engines. The Long March 3B has a total length of 54.8 meters and a diameter of 3.35 meters. The vehicle has a launch mass of approximately 426,000 kilograms. The Long March 3B has been used to launch numerous satellites for the China National Space Administration, including the Tiangong-1 and the Tiangong-2.

Operational History

The Long March 3B made its maiden flight on February 14, 1996, when it launched the Intelsat 708 communications satellite into geostationary transfer orbit. The vehicle has since been used for numerous launches, including the launch of the Chinasat 6B communications satellite in 2007 and the launch of the Beidou-2 navigation satellite in 2009. The Long March 3B has also been used to launch spacecraft for the European Space Agency, including the Rosetta (spacecraft) and the Gaia (spacecraft). The vehicle has a high success rate, with over 95% of its launches being successful. The Long March 3B is launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, which is located in Sichuan Province, China. The Long March 3B has been used to launch satellites for numerous countries, including France, Germany, and Indonesia.

Vehicle Specifications

The Long March 3B has a total length of 54.8 meters and a diameter of 3.35 meters. The vehicle has a launch mass of approximately 426,000 kilograms. The Long March 3B is powered by a combination of liquid-fueled rocket engines and cryogenic rocket engines. The vehicle has a first stage powered by four YF-21 liquid-fueled rocket engines, which produce a total thrust of 2,961 kilonewtons. The second stage is powered by a single YF-24 liquid-fueled rocket engine, which produces a thrust of 742 kilonewtons. The third stage is powered by a single YF-75 cryogenic rocket engine, which produces a thrust of 167 kilonewtons. The Long March 3B is capable of launching payloads of up to 5,500 kilograms into geostationary transfer orbit.

Launch History

The Long March 3B has been used for numerous launches since its introduction in 1996. The vehicle has launched satellites for numerous countries, including China, France, Germany, and Indonesia. The Long March 3B has also been used to launch spacecraft for the European Space Agency, including the Rosetta (spacecraft) and the Gaia (spacecraft). The vehicle has a high success rate, with over 95% of its launches being successful. The Long March 3B is launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, which is located in Sichuan Province, China. The Long March 3B has been used to launch numerous satellites for the China National Space Administration, including the Tiangong-1 and the Tiangong-2.

Notable Missions

The Long March 3B has been used for numerous notable missions, including the launch of the Tiangong-1 space station in 2011 and the launch of the Tiangong-2 space station in 2016. The vehicle has also been used to launch the Chinasat 6B communications satellite in 2007 and the Beidou-2 navigation satellite in 2009. The Long March 3B has been used to launch spacecraft for the European Space Agency, including the Rosetta (spacecraft) and the Gaia (spacecraft). The vehicle has also been used to launch satellites for numerous countries, including France, Germany, and Indonesia. The Long March 3B has a high success rate, with over 95% of its launches being successful. The Long March 3B is launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, which is located in Sichuan Province, China. The Long March 3B has been used to launch numerous satellites for the China National Space Administration, including the Zhongxing 9A and the Zhongxing 10.

Category:Spaceflight