Watch the Launch

Beidou-3 G4

Circle Image

Overview

Destination: Geostationary Transfer Orbit
Mission: Navigation

Geostationary Transfer Orbit Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

This satellite is a part of the geostationary component of the 3rd phase of the Chinese Beidou (Compass) satellite navigation system. It features a phased array antenna for navigation signals and a laser retroreflector and additionally deployable S/L-band and C-band antennas.

Updates

Cosmic_Penguin • May 17, 2023, 3:27 a.m.

Launch success.


Cosmic_Penguin • May 15, 2023, 2:47 a.m.

Added launch per NOTAMs; Payload identity not confirmed.


Long March 3B

Family:
Configuration: B

The Long March 3B is a Chinese orbital carrier rocket. Introduced in 1996, it is launched from Launch Area 2 and 3 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan. A three-stage rocket with four strap-on liquid rocket boosters, it is currently the most powerful member of the Long March rocket family and the heaviest of the Long March 3 rocket family, and is mainly used to place communications satellites into geosynchronous orbits.

Specifications
  • Max Stage
    3
  • Length
    54.8 m
  • Diameter
    3.35 m
  • Fairing Diameter
  • Launch Mass
    426.0 T
  • Thrust
    5923.0 kN
Family
  • Name
    Long March 3B
  • Family
  • Variant
    B
  • Alias
  • Full Name
    Long March 3B
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
    $70000000
  • Low Earth Orbit
    11500.0 kg
  • Geostationary Transfer Orbit
    5100.0 kg
  • Direct Geostationary
    2000.0 kg
  • Sun-Synchronous Capacity

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

(CASC)

Chairman & President: Lei Fanpei Founded: 1999 Successes: 560 Failures: 15 Pending: 9

Agency Type:

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.

INFO WIKI

Related News

SpaceNews

China launches new science probes, SAR sat and replacement Beidou satellite

China conducted a pair of launches last week to replenish its Beidou navigation system and send science and radar tech test satellites into orbit.

Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Launch Complex 2 (LC-2)


New Shepard
Success
3 days, 15 hours ago
NS-38
West Texas Suborbital Launch Site/ Corn Ranch - Corn Ranch, Van Horn, TX, USA

NS-38 is the 17th crewed flight for the New Shepard program and the 38th in the New Shepard program's history.


Electron
Success
3 days, 21 hours ago
The Cosmos Will See You Now (Open Cosmos Constellation Launch 1)
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1A - Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand

First 2 satellites of UK-based Open Cosmos' secure LEO broadband constellation designed to provide independent and resilient connectivity infrastruct…


Falcon 9
Success
4 days, 2 hours ago
Starlink Group 17-30
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Long March 12
Success
1 week ago
SatNet LEO Group 19
Commercial LC-2 - Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China

A batch of 9 Low Earth Orbit communication satellites for the Chinese state owned SatNet constellation operated by the China Satellite Network Group.…


Falcon 9
Success
1 week ago
Starlink Group 6-100
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Falcon 9
Success
1 week, 2 days ago
NROL-105
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

Twelfth batch of satellites for a reconnaissance satellite constellation built by SpaceX and Northrop Grumman for the National Reconnaissance Office …


Ceres-2
Failure
1 week, 2 days ago
Demo Flight
Launch Area 95A - Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

First test launch of Galactic Energy’s Ceres-2 rocket.


Long March 3B/E
Failure
1 week, 2 days ago
Shijian 32
Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) - Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Chinese experimental spacecraft of unknown purposes.


Ceres-1S
Success
1 week, 3 days ago
Tianqi 37-40
Rizhao offshore launch location - Haiyang Oriental Spaceport

4 small satellites for LEO Internet of Things (IoT) communication purposes.


Long March 2C
Success
1 week, 4 days ago
AlSat 3A
Launch Area 94 (SLS-2 / 603) - Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Earth observation satellite built by China's CAST for the Algerian Space Agency.