synonymLong March 3B (The rocket developed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology) generally refers to Long March 3B
Long March 3B[103]It is a type I three-stage liquid strapped rocket developed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology affiliated to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation in the late 1990s, mainly used for launchingGeosynchronous transfer orbitHeavy satellites, light satellitesBeidou navigation satellite The launch of its orbital satellites is China's main rocket for commercial launch services.The rocket has not only effectively improvedLong March 3The high orbit carrying capacity of the series rockets forms a complete series.[1-2][4-5]
Long March 3BLong March No.3 A(CZ-3A) andLong March II EThe (CZ-2E) rocket is developed on the basis of the Long March 3A (CZ-3A) as the core stage and is composed of four 2.25-meter diameter liquid boosters. The booster and its binding structure are basically the same as those of the Long March 2E.Long March 3B began its overall scheme design in July 1989, and its first launch failed on February 15, 1996[3]The second launch was successful on August 20, 1997.
At 21:03 on February 29, 2024, China used the Long March 3B carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center to successfully launch the satellite Internet high orbit satellite 01, which successfully entered the scheduled orbit, and the launch mission was successfulFull success.[97]On May 9, China used the Long March 3B carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center to successfully launch the Smart Skynet 01, and the satellite successfully entered the scheduled orbit. The launch mission was a complete success.[100]
In order to meet the launch requirements of heavy satellites (communication satellites, navigation satellites, etc.), China has begun to demonstrate the development of more capableLong March No.3 ACarrier rocket.Long March 3A began its program demonstration in March 1985 and was officially developed in April 1986.
Shortly after the implementation of the development of Long March 3A, while meeting China's satellite launch mission, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) also started the development of Long March 3B carrier rocket in good time with an eye to entering the international commercial space launch market[2][5]。
R&D history
China Long March 3B carrier rocket
In July 1989, the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology began the overall design of the Long March 3B rocket[4][7]。
The design indicators of Long March 3B show that its main task is to launch heavy satellites in geosynchronous transfer orbit, as well as launch light satellites with one rocket and multiple satellites or launch satellites in other orbits.Long March 3B has a geosynchronous transfer orbit carrying capacity of 5.0 tons.The launch cost for promotion launch is 56 million US dollars, and the planned commercial launch cost is 70 to 80 million US dollars (1993 currency value)[7]。
On February 1, 1993, the Chinese national competent department officially approved the establishment of the Long March 3B rocket[8]。Long March 3B takes Long March 3A rocket as the core stage, and four liquid rocket boosters are bound around the first stage rocket, which can send about 5 tons of payload into 36000 kilometers of geosynchronous transfer orbit, thus becoming the rocket with the largest carrying capacity among Chinese rockets at that time[3]。
On February 15, 1996, the Long March 3B rocket launched the international 708 communication satellite for the first time. Due to the failure of an electronic component, the inertial reference tilted, and the rocket corrected its attitude according to the wrong attitude signal, resulting in the rocket hitting the ground and exploding 22 seconds after flying, and the launch failed.After the failure of the first flight, China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology spent more than half a year in fault investigation, test verification and other work to improve the rocket[3][9]。
On August 20, 1997, the second Long March 3B rocket took off again at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, and successfully sent the "Mabuhai" satellite manufactured by American Laura Corporation for the Philippines into orbit tens of thousands of kilometers away from the earth[8-9]。
On December 2, 2013, the Chang'e-3 probe carrying China's first lunar rover was successfully launched by the Long March 3 B-23 rocket. This mission marks the full realization of the second strategic goal of the lunar exploration project.
On December 8, 2018, the Chang'e-4 probe was launched into the predetermined orbit by the Long March 3 Yiyao 30 rocket, which successfully achieved the first soft landing of a human probe on the back of the moon.[99]
In September 2023, the new Long March 3B rocket developed by the First Institute of China Aerospace Science and Technology Group Co., Ltd. will soon complete the final assembly test. This rocket is the first rocket of the "double lift" project of the Long March 3A series rockets.[88]
At 19:23 on November 9, 2023, China used the Long March 3B carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center to successfully launch the Zhongxing 6E satellite. The satellite successfully entered the scheduled orbit, and the launch mission was a complete success.[91]Long March 3B carrier rocket was developed by the First Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology Group.The rocket is the first application of the "double improvement" special development and implementation of the Long Triple-A series model's carrying capacity and reliability, which is a milestone in the development of the model.The launch capacity of the geosynchronous transfer orbit rocket reached 5.55 tons, and there were 74 improvements in the whole rocket, including 52 first flight improvements. This mission was developed and organized with reference to the first flight model.[92]
At 11:26 on December 26, 2023,Long March 3B/Expedition 1 carrier rocketThe 57th and 58th Beidou navigation satellites were successfully launched into the scheduled orbit at China's Xichang Satellite Launch Center, and the launch mission was a complete success[95]。[96]
On December 26, 2023, China successfully launched two Beidou navigation satellites
Technical characteristics
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overall design
The Long March 3B carrier rocket is mainly used to launch geosynchronous orbit satellites, with a delivery capacity of 5.5 tons. It is China's main rocket for commercial satellite launch services.Long 3B rocket can also perform tasks required by other orbits, and can also meet the requirements of payload attitude adjustment, reorientation and spin, as well as the requirements of double and multi satellite launch.Long Sanya rockets can provide a variety ofFairingTo meet the needs of different users.
The whole Long March 3B rocket consists of the body structure, power system, control systemTelemetry systemExternal measurementsafety system, taxiway propellant management and attitude control system, cryogenic propellant utilization system, separation system andAuxiliary systemIsocomponent[2]。
Arrow body structure
A child
The upper part of the first sub stage is filled with liquidNitrogen tetroxide（NtwoOfour）Oxidizer tank with liquid at the lower partUnsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine(UDMH) combustion agent tank, with a total length of 24.76m (for enhanced data, the standard model is 23.272m).The engine of the first sub assembly is composed of four liquid fuel engines with a thrust of 75 tons in parallel.The nozzle of each engine can beServo mechanismThe maximum swing angle is 10 degrees[7]。
booster
Each booster bundle is 16.094m long (enhanced data, standard 15.326m), and the upper part is filled with liquidNitrogen tetroxide（NtwoOfour）Oxidizer tank with liquid at the lower partUnsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine(UDMH), and a tail wing is installed at the tail.Each of the four boosters is equipped with a DaFY5-1 engine with a thrust of 75 tons, and the nozzle is fixed[7]。
Second child
The second stage is 9.943m long, and the upper part is filled with liquid nitrogen tetroxide (NtwoOfour）The oxidizer tank of is equipped with liquid unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) at the lower part.The second stage is equipped with an engine (main engine) with a thrust of 75 tons and a floating engine with four small nozzles and a thrust of 4.8 tons.The main engine nozzle is fixed, and the swimming engine nozzle can swing in one direction with a maximum swing angle of 60 degrees to control the flight attitude of the arrow body[7]。
Three children
The third stage is 12.375m long, and the upper part is filled with liquid hydrogen (LHtwo）The lower part is the oxidizer tank with liquid oxygen (LOX).The third sub stage adopts hydrogen oxygen engine, which has the ability of secondary starting. It is composed of two independent single tube engines in parallel, each with a thrust of 8 tons. It can swing in both directions under the drive of the servo mechanism. The maximum comprehensive swing angle is 4 degrees, and the flight attitude of the third sub stage rocket body is controlled[7]。
Satellite fairing
In the process of the rocket flying through the atmosphere, the satellite fairing on the top of the rocket protects the satellite from various interference from the atmosphere.The satellite fairing provides a good environment for the satellite.The satellite fairing of the Long March 3B rocket consists of an end cap, a biconical segment, a cylindrical segment and an inverted cone segment.The end cap is made of glass fiber reinforced plastic, which has good radio wave transmission.The double cone section and cylindrical section are made of metal honeycomb materials, and the inverted cone section is made of chemical milling alloy materials.If necessary, the radio transmission window and the operation window can be opened on the column section and the biconical section.The fairing of the Long 3B rocket is 9.56m long, the maximum external diameter is 4.0m, and the maximum diameter of its static envelope is 3.65m[7]。
Star arrow interface
Long March 3B rocket can provide a variety of mechanical interfaces, but generally, standard mechanical interfaces are provided.The lower end frame of the satellite is docked with the upper end frame of the payload support of the rocket, and locked by the bag strap[7]。
Long March No.3 B
Design parameters
Rocket parameters
Technical parameters of Long March 3B
booster
first stage
Level II
Level 3
Stage diameter (m)
two point two five
three point three five
three point three five
three
Stage length (m)
fifteen point three two six
twenty-three point two seven two
nine point nine four three
twelve point three seven five
Mass of propellant (ton)
37.746×4
41.5×4*
one hundred and seventy-one point seven seven five
remarks: Those marked with * in the table are Long March 3B enhanced (LM-3B/E) carrier rockets[11]
Carrying capacity
Long March 3B Rail Transit Capacity
Track type
Standard
Change one type
Type II modification
Change into three types
Change three Z type
Gaisan Z/Expedition 1
Change five types
GTO
5.1 tons
N/A
5.5 tons
5.4 tons
5.2 tons
N/A
TLI
3.4 tons
3.78t
N/A
MTO
N/A
4.3 tons
N/A
MEO
N/A
2.2t
N/A
LEO①
11.2t
N/A
11.5 tons
N/A
SSO①
6.85t
7.1 tons
4.5 tons
remarks:
①In addition to the change from "Long March No.3 B" to "Long March No.3 B"LEOAnd SSO carrying capacity are theoretical parameters, which do not use such orbits in actual launch.
LEO: 200km @ 28.5 °
SSO: 500 km
②standardGTOThe parameters represent the parameters of the satellite's orbit at the time of separation of the satellite from the rocket.Users can choose different orbits according to the needs of satellites and the launch capability of rockets.If the carrying capacity is surplus, the Long March 3B rocket can send the satellite into a low inclination orbit or aSupersynchronous transfer orbitIn this way, the satellite's orbital life can be extended[10][13-15]。
The third sub stage engine shuts down for the first time and enters the taxiing section
T+127.05
booster separation
T+1211.753
The third sub stage engine is ignited for the second time, and the taxiing section ends
T+147.387
First sub stage engine shutdown
T+1390.385
The second shutdown of the third sub stage engine
T+148.867
1、 Secondary separation
T+1470.384
Separation of star and arrow[2][7]
T+228.867
Satellite fairing separation
Schematic Diagram of Long March 3B Standard Flight[10]
Enhanced flight diagram of Long March 3B[10]
Series model
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Standard
Long March 3B Standard Launches Xinnuo 2 Satellite
The Long March 3B standard rocket has two configurations: the Long March 3B standard rocket (CZ-3B) and the Long March 3B to I-type rocket (CZ-3B/G1).
The production of the standard rocket has been suspended, and the subsequent launch mission is undertaken by the Long March 3B enhanced rocket.
Long March 3B standard
Long March 3B standard type (CZ-3B) rocket core stage I and booster are not lengthened, and 4000F type is usedFairingThe control system is a master slave redundancy scheme of platform+laser inertial unit.
Long March 3B-1 Launches Beidou-2 M3/M 4 Satellite
The total length of the rocket is 54.838 meters, the diameter of the first and second sub stages is 3.35 meters, the diameter of the booster is 2.25 meters, the diameter of the third sub stage is 3.0 meters, the diameter of the fairing is 4.0 meters, and the takeoff mass is 425.8 tons, standardGTOThe carrying capacity is 5.1 tons.
The Long March 3B carrier rocket failed to launch the international 708 communication satellite in its first flight on February 15, 1996. The rocket hit the ground 22 seconds after takeoff and exploded.In August and October 1997, the Philippines Mabuhai satellite and the Asia Pacific II R satellite were successfully launched[13][16]。
Long March No.3 B to Type I
On the basis of the standard model of Long March 3, Long March 3 B to 1 (CZ-3B/G1) adopts takeoff roll orientation, two-way wind compensation, three-stage primary operation, tandem double star separation, and 3700Z elongated (3700ZS) double star fairing.
The rocket has a total length of 57.056 meters and a fairing diameter of 3.7 meters.
Long March III B to I has carried out Y14 and Y15 Beidou twin satellite launch missions[13]。
Enhanced
Chang'e-4 is launched from Long March III B to II
Long March 3B Enhanced Rocket(CZ-3B/E) is an improvement on the standard model (CZ-3B), which lengthens the core stage and booster, and improves the GTO carrying capacity.[11]There are four configurations: Long March 3 B to 2 (CZ-3B/G2), Long March 3 B to 3 (CZ-3B/G3), Long March 3 B to 3 Z/Expedition 1 (CZ-3B/YZ-1) and Long March 3 B to 5 (CZ-3B/G5).
Long March No.3 B to Type II
Long March 3B-3 Launches FY-4 Satellite
On the basis of the standard model of Long March 3, the core stage I is 1.488 meters longer, the booster is 0.768 meters longer, and the two-stage engine of Long March 2F is used. The secondary structure is strengthened, and the 4000F fairing is used.The control system has two states: platform+master slave redundancy scheme of laser inertial unit;Master Slave Redundancy/Satellite Navigation Composite Guidance Scheme for Dual Laser Inertial Unit[13][16]。
The rocket has a total length of 56.326 meters, a fairing diameter of 4.0 meters, a takeoff mass of 458.97 tons, a standard GTO carrying capacity of 5.5 tons, and a Earth Moon Transfer Orbit (TLI) carrying capacity of 3.78 tons.
Long March III B-type II successfully launched Nigeria Communication Satellite I for the first time on May 14, 2007, and successfully launched the independently developedChang'e-3Lunar probe.
Long March No.3 B to III
Long March 3B/Expedition 1 Launches Beidou-3 M15/M16
Long March III B to III (CZ-3B/G3) inherits the basic state of the modified II, uses 4200F fairing, and the control system is dual laser inertial group/satellite navigation composite guidance,[13]The telemetry image real-time transmission technology is used, and the flight reliability reaches 0.942.
The rocket has a total length of 56.542 meters, a fairing diameter of 4.2 meters, and a standard GTO carrying capacity of 5.4 tons.
Long March III B to III successfully launched Zhongxing 1A for the first time on September 19, 2011[13][16]。
Long March No.3 B to III Z type
Long March III B to III Z type (CZ-3B/G3Z) inherits the basic state of the III type, uses 4200Z fairing, uses 1194A satellite support, and installs attitude control engine and attitude control tank.This configuration is usually matched with the upper stage of Expedition 1.The rocket has a total length of 57.126 meters, a fairing diameter of 4.2 meters, and a standard GTO carrying capacity of 5.2 tons[13][16]。
Long March 3B/Expedition No.1
Long March 3B/Expedition 1 (CZ-3B/YZ-1) is Long March 3B to 3Z+Expedition 1.It is based on the Long March III B-Z rocketExpedition OneThe upper stage forms a four stage rocket.The rocket is mainly used to carry out the MEO Beidou satellite's "one rocket and two satellites" direct orbit launch mission.
Long March 3B/Expedition 1 has a capacity of 2.2 tons in Earth orbit (MEO) at 21500 km, and the upper stage of Expedition 1 can reach 1100 kg/star according to the status of MEO double star launch.
Long March 3B/Expedition 1 successfully launched two new generation Beidou navigation satellites for the first time on July 25, 2015[16-17]。
Long March No.3 B to 5
Long March III B to V (CZ-3B/G5) is based on the Long March III B to III Z rocket, through the launch trajectory optimization design, the newly developed 4200ZL fairing (the fairing has been extended by 900mm), the control system adopts iterative+perturbation guidance scheme, the application of active load shedding technology, and the adoption of rocket omnidirectional takeoff roll on orientation schemeMeasures such as developing 2334A interface satellite bracket and satellite arrow unlocking device can cover larger satellites.
This configuration can not only launch geosynchronous transfer orbit payloads, but also cover the launch mission of solar synchronous orbit payloads, with a 500 km SSO delivery capacity of 4.5 tons.
The first flight of Long March III B-V successfully launched Gaofen 14 satellite on December 6, 2020[16][18]。
Inertial platform failure, falling to the ground and exploding 22 seconds after ignition①
two
1997.8.20
CZ-3B Y2
Mabuhai No.1, Philippines
SSTO
success
Space Systems/Loral, Agila2
three
1997.10.17
CZ-3B Y3
Asia Pacific II R communication satellite
SSTO
success
Manufactured by Laura Space Systems
four
1998.5.30
CZ-3B Y5
Zhongwei No.1 (Zhongxing 5A)
SSTO
success
Made by Lockheed Martin
five
1998.7.18
CZ-3B Y4
Xinnuo No.1 (Zhongxing 5B)
GTO
success
Made by French Aerospace
six
2005.4.12
CZ-3B Y6
APSTAR-6 communication satellite
SSTO
success
Made by Alcatel Space, France
seven
2006.10.29
CZ-3B Y7
Xinnuo No.2
GTO
success
The first satellite of Dongfanghong 4 communication satellite platform
Antenna solar panel failure, satellite failure②
eight
2007.5.14
CZ-3B/G2 Y9
Nigeria Communication Star 1
SSTO
success
Solar array failure, satellite failure③
nine
2007.7.5
CZ-3B Y10
Zhongxing 6B
SSTO
success
By Thales Alania Aerospace
ten
2008.6.9
CZ-3B Y11
Chinasat-9
SSTO
success
Xinnuo 2 backup star, purchased from France
eleven
2008.10.30
CZ-3B/G2 Y12
Venezuela Telstar 1
SSTO
success
Dongfanghong 4 communication satellite platform
twelve
2009.8.31
CZ-3B Y8
Indonesia Palapa-D1
SSTO
part
success
After the third stage secondary ignition, the thrust of unit I was insufficient, and the satellite failed to enter the predetermined orbit,
The guard star has been successfully fixed after several track changes④
thirteen
2010.9.5
CZ-3B/G2 Y13
Xinnuo 6 (Zhongxing 6A)
SSTO
success
Dongfanghong 4 communication satellite platform
HP helium leakage life reduced by 1/3
fourteen
2011.6.21
CZ-3B/G2 Y20
Xinnuo 5 (Zhongxing 10)
SSTO
success
Dongfanghong 4 communication satellite platform
fifteen
2011.8.12
CZ-3B/G2 Y19
Pakistan Communication Star 1R
SSTO
success
Dongfanghong 4 communication satellite platform
sixteen
2011.9.19
CZ-3B/G3 Y16
Zhongxing 1A
GTO
success
Dongfanghong 4 communication satellite platform
seventeen
2011.10.7
CZ-3B/G2 Y18
European communication satellite W3C
GTO
success
Manufactured by Thales Alenia Aerospace
eighteen
2011.12.20
CZ-3B/G2 Y21
Nixing 1R
SSTO
success
Dongfanghong 4 communication satellite platform
Replacement of Nixing I that failed in orbit
nineteen
2012.03.31
CZ-3B/G2 Y22
Asia Pacific VII
SSTO
success
Thales Alenia Space France
SPACEBUS 4000C2 platform
twenty
2012.04.30
CZ-3B/G1 Y14
Beidou II M3, M4
MTO
success
Dongfanghong 3A satellite platform
twenty-one
2012.05.26
CZ-3B/G3 Y17
Zhongxing 2A
GTO
success
Dongfanghong 4 communication satellite platform
twenty-two
2012.09.19
CZ-3B/G1 Y15
Beidou No.2 M5, M6
MTO
success
Dongfanghong 3A satellite platform
twenty-three
2012.11.27
CZ-3B/G2 Y24
Zhongxing 12
SSTO
success
Manufactured by Thales Alenia Aerospace
twenty-four
2013.05.02
CZ-3B/G2 Y25
Zhongxing 11
SSTO
success
Dongfanghong 4 communication satellite platform
twenty-five
2013.12.02
CZ-3B/G2 Y23
Chang'e-3 lunar probe
TLI
success
The first soft landing platform
twenty-six
2013.12.21
CZ-3B/G2 Y27
Bolivia Communication Satellite
SSTO
success
Dongfanghong 4 communication satellite platform
twenty-seven
2015.07.25
CZ-3B/G3Z Y26
（YZ-1 Y2）
Beidou-3 navigation test satellites M1-S and M2-S
MEO
success
Beidou-3 navigation test satellite
First launch of MEO satellite
twenty-eight
2015.09.12
CZ-3B/G2 Y32
Communication Technology Test Satellite 1
GTO
success
Deploy large antenna on orbit for the first time
twenty-nine
2015.09.30
CZ-3B/G3 Y33
Beidou-3 Global Navigation
Test satellite I2-S[19]
GTO
success
Beidou-3 navigation test satellite
First launch of IGSO satellite
thirty
2015.10.17
CZ-3B/G2 Y36
APSTAR-9 communication satellite
SSTO
success
Realize full coverage of marine signals in China's surrounding waters
Helping the strategic development of the "Silk Road" at sea
thirty-one
2015.11.04
CZ-3B/G3 Y34
"Zhongxing 2C" communication and broadcasting satellite
GTO
success
-
thirty-two
2015.11.21
CZ-3B/G2 Y38
Laos No.1
SSTO
success
Dongfanghong 3B communication satellite platform
thirty-three
2015.12.10
CZ-3B/G3 Y31
"Zhongxing 1C" communication and broadcasting satellite
GTO
success
-
thirty-four
2015.12.29
CZ-3B/G2 Y37
High score No. 4[20]
GTO
success
China's first geosynchronous orbit remote sensing satellite
thirty-five
2016.01.16
CZ-3B/G2 Y29
Belarusian communication satellite
BelinterSat-1/Zhongxing 15
SSTO
success
Dongfanghong 4 satellite platform
thirty-six
2016.08.06
CZ-3B/G3 Y35
Tiantong No.1 01
GTO
success
The first satellite of Tiantong 1 mobile communication satellite
thirty-seven
2016.12.11
CZ-3B/G3 Y42
Fengyun IV
GTO
success
The first satellite of the second generation meteorological satellite
thirty-eight
2017.01.05
CZ-3B/G2 Y39
Communication Technology Test Satellite II (Huoyan I)
GTO
success
World premiere in 2017[21]
thirty-nine
2017.04.12
CZ-3B/G2 Y43
Shijian 13 communication satellite
(Zhongxing 16 high-throughput communication satellite)
SSTO
success
The first full configuration satellite of Dongfanghong 3B communication satellite platform (the first high-throughput communication satellite, the first Ka band multi beam broadband communication system)
forty
2017.06.18
CZ-3B/G2 Y28
Zhongxing 9A communication satellite
(Xinnuo No.4)[22]
SSTO
part
success
The third stage of the rocket is abnormal, and the satellite fails to enter orbit
After 10 times of track adjustment, the fixed point was successfully set⑤
forty-one
2017.11.05
CZ-3B/G3Z Y46
（YZ-1 Y4）
Beidou-3 navigation satellite
M1 star, 2 star
MEO
success
First launch of Beidou-3 MEO[23]
forty-two
2017.12.11
CZ-3B/G2 Y40
Algerian No.1 communication satellite
SSTO
success
Detasked Long March 3B rocket[24]
forty-three
2018.01.12
CZ-3B/G3Z Y45
（YZ-1 Y5）
Beidou-3 navigation satellite
M7 star, 8 star
MEO
success
The second launch of Beidou-3 MEO[25]
forty-four
2018.02.12
CZ-3B/G3Z Y47
（YZ-1 Y6）
Beidou-3 navigation satellite
M 3-star, 4-star
MEO
success
The Third Launch of Beidou-3 MEO
forty-five
2018.03.30
CZ-3B/G3Z Y48
（YZ-1 Y7）
Beidou-3 navigation satellite
M9 star, 10 star
MEO
success
The fourth launch of Beidou-3 MEO[26]
forty-six
2018.05.04
CZ-3B/G2 Y55
Asia Pacific 6C communication satellite
SSTO
success
Dongfanghong 4 platform communication satellite
forty-seven
2018.07.29
CZ-3B/G3Z Y49
（YZ-1 Y8）
Beidou-3 navigation satellite
M5 star, 6 star
MEO
success
The fifth launch of Beidou-3 MEO[27]
forty-eight
2018.08.25
CZ-3B/G3Z Y50
（YZ-1 Y9）
Beidou-3 navigation satellite
M11 star, 12 star
MEO
success
The 6th launch of Beidou-3 MEO
forty-nine
2018.09.19
CZ-3B/G3Z Y51
（YZ-1 Y10）
Beidou-3 navigation satellite
M13 star, 14 star
MEO
success
The 7th launch of Beidou-3 MEO[28]
fifty
2018.10.15
CZ-3B/G3Z Y52
（YZ-1 Y11）
Beidou-3 navigation satellite
M15 star, 16 star
MEO
success
The 8th launch of Beidou-3 MEO
fifty-one
2018.11.01
CZ-3B/G3 Y41
Beidou-3 navigation satellite GEO-1
GTO
success
Beidou-3 launches GEO star
fifty-two
2018.11.20
CZ-3B/G3Z Y53
（YZ-1 Y12）
Beidou-3 navigation satellite
M17 star, 18 star
MEO
success
The 9th launch of Beidou-3 MEO
fifty-three
2018.12.08
CZ-3B/G2 Y30
Chang'e-4 lunar probe[29]
TLI
success
The first human probe to land on the back of the moon
① Due to the failure of the rocket inertial reference platform, about 2 seconds after the rocket ignites and takes off, the flight attitude is abnormal, and the rocket deviates from the launch direction.After flying for about 22 seconds, the rocket fell and exploded, and all the stars and arrows were lost[3]。
② The solar array fails to deploy twice, the antenna fails to deploy, and the satellite fails.
③ On November 15, 2008, the driving mechanism of the solar array failed, the power was exhausted, and the satellite failed.
④ The first and second stages of the rocket flew normally, the hydrogen nozzle of the third stage engine unit I was blocked by surplus, and the gas generator leaked locally. After the third stage secondary ignition, the thrust of unit I was insufficient, resulting in the low apogee of the satellite into orbit and the failure to send the satellite into the predetermined transfer orbit.The rear satellite successfully entered the geostationary orbit after three orbit changes, and the satellite life was reduced by 1/3.
⑤ The thruster of the attitude control engine rolling control in the three-stage taxiing phase was abnormal. At the same time, the negative rolling state of the three-stage rocket during the taxiing process could not be adjusted due to the operation error. Finally, the thrust suspension was triggered in the three-stage secondary ignition working phase, making the three-stage engine shut down ahead of time, and the satellite failed to enter the predetermined orbit.The latter satellite implemented 10 orbit changes in 16 days, and successfully fixed the predetermined geostationary orbit over the equator at 101.4 ° east longitude on July 5, 2017, shortening the satellite's life to 4.04 years[16]。
⑥ The flight of the first and second stages of the rocket is normal, and the operation of the third stage is abnormal[52]。
On October 17, 1997, the third Long March 3B rocket was successfully launched, and the "Asia Pacific 2R" satellite produced by Laura Corporation of the United States was accurately sent into the same orbit[8]。
At 23:36 on February 4, 2021, China successfully launched the communication technology test satellite 6 with the Long March 3B carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, and the satellite entered the predetermined orbit[60]。
On September 27, 2021, Test 10 satellite was launched by Long March 3B carrier rocket at Xichang Satellite Launch Center[69]。On October 24, during the launch of Xichang satelliteXinyong Long March 3B carrier rocket will launch Shijian 21 satellite.[71]On November 27, the "Zhongxing 1D" satellite was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center with the Long March 3B carrier rocket。[72]
At 20:00 on April 15, 2022, the Long March 3B carrier rocket was used at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center to successfully launch the Zhongxing 6D satellite.The satellite successfully entered the scheduled orbit, and the launch mission was a complete success.This mission is the 415th flight of Long March series carrier rocket[75]。
At noon on December 29, 2022, the Long March 3B carrier rocket successfully sent the Test 10 02 satellite into the scheduled orbit.This is the 53rd flight of the Long March series carrier rocket in 2022.The success of this mission marks the successful conclusion of the Long March series launch mission in 2022, and the annual launch times of the Long March series launch vehicles have achieved "50+" for the first time[79]。
At 19:49 on February 23, 2023, Beijing time, China used the Long March 3B carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center to launch the Zhongxing 26 satellite. The satellite entered the predetermined orbit, and the launch mission was successful.The satellite is mainly used to provide high-speed broadband access services for fixed terminals, vehicle/ship/airborne terminals[83]。
On May 17, 2023, China successfully launched the 56th Beidou navigation satellite with the Long March 3B carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center。[86]
At 1:26 on August 13, 2023, the Long March 3B carrier rocket was used at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center to successfully launch the Land Exploration No.401 satellite. The satellite successfully entered the scheduled orbit, and the launch mission was a complete success.[87]
At 19:23 on November 9, 2023 (Beijing time), China successfully launched the Zhongxing 6E satellite by using the Long March 3B carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The satellite successfully entered the scheduled orbit, and the launch mission was a complete success.[89]
Long March No.3 B waiting
At 11:26 on December 26, 2023, China successfully launched the 57th and 58th Beidou navigation satellites with the Long March 3B carrier rocket and the upper stage of Expedition 1 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.This group of satellites belongs to the mid circle earth orbit satellites. It is the first group of MEO satellites launched after the completion and opening of China's Beidou-3 global satellite navigation system. After entering orbit and completing the in orbit test, it will be connected to the Beidou satellite navigation system.[93-94]
At 21:03 on February 29, 2024, China used the Long March 3B carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center to successfully launch the satellite Internet high orbit satellite 01, which successfully entered the scheduled orbit, and the launch mission was successfulFull success.[97-98]
In February 2024, the Long March 3B carrier rocket launched the satellite Internet high orbit satellite.
On May 9, 2024, China used the Long March 3B carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center to successfully launch the Smart Skynet 01. The satellite successfully entered the scheduled orbit, and the launch mission was a complete success.[100]
On May 9, 2024, the launch site of Smart Skynet 1 01 satellite
At 20:12 on May 30, 2024, China successfully launched Pakistan's multi mission communication satellite by using the Long March 3B carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The satellite successfully entered the scheduled orbit and the launch mission was a complete success.This mission is the 524th flight of the Long March series carrier rocket.[102]
technological innovation
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In 1975, China wanted to develop the communication satellite project, and the Long March 3 rocket came into being.
On April 8, 1984,Long March 3The successful rocket willDongfanghong No.2The test communication satellite was sent into the predetermined orbit, and the Long March series rockets realized the leap of propellant from conventional to low temperature, and the launch orbit from low orbit to high orbit.
Implemented on December 29, 2022Test 10 02 satelliteFour optimization improvements have been made to the Long 3B rocket of the launch mission, further improving the adaptability of the rocket to the launch mission, and improving the launch capability and reliability of the rocket.Realize the goal of improving the 50kg carrying capacity through three aspects: scheme improvement, weight reduction and optimization design[84]。
Overall evaluation
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During the development of the Long March 3B carrier rocket, the design idea of modularization, serialization and generalization (three modernizations) was flexibly adopted, and a number of mature technologies were used, such as high thrust hydrogen oxygen engine technology, four axis platform technology, cold helium heating and pressurization technology, hydrogen gas engine service mechanism, etc.
The successful development of Long March 3B rocket has supplemented and strengthened the synchronous transfer orbit delivery capability of Chinese launch vehicles, which can not only meet the needs of launching China's large-scale communication satellite platforms, but also improve the adaptability of Chinese launch vehicles, provide a more relaxed environment for satellite design, and enhance the competitiveness in the international commercial launch market.
The Long March 3B rocket, which was successfully developed from the 1990s to the early 21st century, is the rocket with the largest delivery capacity in China, and its technical level and delivery capacity have reached the world's advanced level at that time[5]。
The Long March 3A family of Long March 3B carrier rockets has completed the networking of BeidouChang'e-4A number of important launch missions, including lunar probe launch, have led all launch vehicle models in China[54]。（Missile and Space Launch Technology, Xinhua Online Review）
