At 00:53 on October 30 2008, Beijing Time, the VeneSat-1 Communications Satellite was successfully launched aboard a Chinese LM-3B launch vehicle from Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC). This marks the second time that China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC), a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation (CASC), to provide satellite in-orbit delivery services to international commercial customers as an entire package, including satellite, launch services and ground systems.
Approximately 26 minutes after the launch, the satellite was successfully separated from the launch vehicle. According to data from the Xi'an Satellite Tracking and Control Center (XSCC), VeneSat-1 entered its pre-determined geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) with an apogee of 41,929.34 km, a perigee of 208.427 km and an inclination of 24.778°.The launch was a total success.
VeneSat -1 was designed and manufactured by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation (CASC). A communications satellite based on the DFH-4 satellite platform, it is fitted with 28 transponders including 14 C-band, 12 Ku-band and 2 Ka-band transponders. To meet its complicated coverage requirements, VeneSat-1 is fitted with four shaped communication antennae which cover South America and the Caribbean. VeneSat-1’s lift-off mass was approximately 5049.4 kg. Its end-of-life power exceeds 7.75 KW, and it has a service life span of 15 years. VeneSat -1's transmissions will cover most of the South American continent and parts of the Caribbean, and provide communications and broadcasting services to Venezuela as well as to the surrounding region. VeneSat-1 was also named the “Satelite Simon Bolivar” in commemoration of the 17th century leader of the Latin American independence movement.
The LM-3B launch vehicle used for the launch was developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation (CASC), and makes full use of the extensive experience and mature, proven flight technology of the Long March series launch vehicles. The LM-3B is the most powerful GTO mission launch vehicle in the Long March fleet, and is essentially an LM-3A core stage with four liquid boosters strapped to its first stage. This LM-3B enhanced version is capable of launching a payload up to 5,500 kg into standard geostationary transfer orbit.
The VeneSat-1 launch mission marked the eleventh LM-3B launch vehicle flight, the 111th Long March flight, and China's 69th consecutive successful launch since October 1996.
The launch was part of the VeneSat-1 satellite in-orbit delivery contract signed between the Venezuelan Ministry of Science and Technology and CGWIC on November 1, 2005. This turnkey project includes the in-orbit delivery of the VeneSat-1 satellite, two ground stations located in Bamari and Luepa, Venezuela, and a teleport located in Bamari. CGWIC acted as the prime contractor for the the VeneSat-1 project, with the spacecraft being subcontracted to the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), the launch vehicle being provided by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) and China Satellite Launch and Tracking Control General (CLTC) providing launch operations, LEOP, IOT and ground stations.
VeneSat-1 is the first satellite in-orbit delivery contract signed by China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) with a Latin American customer, and is also the first space cooperation project between China and Venezuela.