LM-4B Successfully Launches ZY-3 and VesselSat-2 Satellites

At 11:17 Beijing Time on January 9, 2012, China’s LM-4B launch vehicle successfully sent the Ziyuan 3 satellite and Vesselsat-2 micro satellite into the predetermined orbit at Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center (TSLC).

Ziyuan 3, developed by China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), subordinated to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. (CASC), is a high-resolution remote sensing satellite, offering services to aid the country's land-resources surveys, natural-disaster prevention, agriculture development, water-resources management, and urban planning.

Vesselsat-2 satellite is designed and manufactured by LuxSpace Sarl of Luxemburg, a subsidiary company of OHB AG. China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) signed the Launch Services Agreement with LuxSpace Sarl to send Vesselsat-2 to Sun Synchronous Orbit as piggyback payload. VesselSat-2 is designed to collect AIS data for maritime surveillance with integrated design, high efficiency and low cost. LM-4B sent the Vesselsat-2 successfully into the predetermined orbit.

The LM-4B launch vehicle used for the launch is developed by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), a subsidiary of CASC.

This is the 156th flight of the Long March family. It is also the first launch for Long March in 2012.