LM- 3B Launch Vehicle

* History

To meet the demand of worldwide communications satellite market, the development of LM-3B launch vehicle was started in 1986, based on the flight proven technology of Long March launch vehicles. In April of 1992, Intelsat executed a launch services contract with CGWIC to use an LM-3B to launch Intelsat 708 communications satellite. It indicated that the LM-3B development entered a new development stage and the LM-3B configuration had been acceptable by world launch services industry.

Unfortunately, the maiden flight of LM-3B launch failed because the inertial reference altered. After investigation and corrections to the failure of the maiden flight, the LM-3B launch vehicle achieved five consecutive successes. The LM-3B launch vehicle has been proven to be a mature powerful launch vehicle in the Long March family.

* Technical Data

LM-3B launch vehicle is the most powerful launch vehicle in Long March fleet based on the LM-3A as the core stage with four liquid boosters strapped on the first stage. The development of LM-3B has been made upon the extensive heritage of the mature and flight proven technology of Long March family of launch vehicles. It is specially dedicated for launching heavyweight communications satellite for GTO missions. The GTO launch capability of LM-3B is 5,100kg.

Launch Record

(As of April 30, 2005)