CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Long March Family and Its History
The development of Long March (LM) launch vehicles began in mid-1960s and a family suitable for various missions has been formed now. The launch vehicles (LV) adopt as much same technologies and stages as possible to raise the reliability. Seven members of Long March Family, developed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), have been put into the international commercial launch services, i.e. LM-1D, LM-2C, LM-2E, LM-3, LM-3A, LM-3B and LM-3C, see Figure 1-1. The major characteristics of these launch vehicles are listed in Table 1-1.
Table 1-1 Major Characteristics of Long March
LM-1D
LM-2C
LM-2E
LM-3
LM-3A
LM-3B
LM-3C
Height (m)
31.3
40.4
49.7
44.6
52.5
54.8
54.8
Lift-off Mass (t)
85.4
213
460
204
241
425.8
345
Lift-off Thrust (kN)
1101
2962
5923
2962
2962
5923
4443
Fairing Diameter (m)
2.05
2.60/
3.35
4.20
2.60/
3.00
3.35
4.00/
4.20
4.00/
4.20
Main Mission
LEO
LEO
LEO/
GTO
GTO
GTO
GTO
GTO
Launch
Capacity (kg)
1000
2800
9500/
3500
1500
2600
5100
3800
Launch Site
TSLC
JSLC/
XSLC/
TSLC
JSLC/
XSLC
XSLC
XSLC
XSLC
XSLC
LM-1 successfully launched the first China-made satellite into low earth orbit (LEO) in April 1970. To meet the launch requirements of small satellite, LM-1 has been evolved into commercially available LM-1D, of which the launch capability is 1000kg for LEO. LM-1D can also perform multiple-launch.
LM-2 is a two-stage launch vehicle, of which the first launch failed in 1974. An upgraded version, designated as LM-2C, successfully launched in November 1975. Furnished with a solid upper stage and dispenser, LM-2C/SD can send two Iridium satellites into LEO (h=630 km) for each launch. The accumulated launch times of LM-2C have reached 20 till December 1998.
LM-2E takes modified LM-2C as the core stage and is strapped with four boosters (F 2.25m´ 15m). LM-2E made a successful maiden flight in July 1990 and seven launches have been conducted till December 1995.
LM-3 is a three-stage launch vehicle, of which the first and second stages are developed based on LM-2C. The third stage uses LH2/LOX as cryogenic propellants and is capable of re-start in the vacuum. LM-3 carried out twelve flights from January 1984 to June 1997.
LM-3A is also a three-stage launch vehicle in heritage of the mature technologies of LM-3. An upgraded third stage is adopted by LM-3A. LM-3A is equipped with the newly developed guidance and control system, which can perform big attitude adjustment to orient the payloads and provide different spin-up operations to the satellites. Till May 1997, LM-3A has flown three times, which are all successful.
LM-3B employs LM-3A as the core stage and is strapped with four boosters identical to those on LM-2E. The first launch failed in February 1996, and other four launches till July 1998 are all successful.
LM-3C employs LM-3A as the core stage and is strapped with two boosters identical to those on LM-2E. The only difference between LM-3C and LM-3B is the number of the boosters.
1.2 Launch Sites for Various Missions
There are three commercial launch sites in China, i.e. Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC), Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center (TSLC) and Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC). Refer to Figure 1-2 for the locations of the three launch sites.
Figure 1-2 Locations of China's Three Launch Sites
1.2.1 Xichang Satellite Launch Center
Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC) is located in Sichuan Province, southwestern China. It is mainly used for GTO missions. There are processing buildings for satellites and launch vehicles and buildings for hazardous operations and storage in the technical center. Two launch complexes are available in the launch center, Launch Complex #1 for LM-3 and LM-2C, and Launch Complex #2 for LM-3A, 3B & 3C as well as LM-2E.
The customers' airplanes carrying the Spacecraft (SC) and Ground Support Equipment (GSE) can enter China from either Beijing or Shanghai with customs exemption according to the approval from Chinese Government. The SC team can connect their journey to XSLC by plane or train at Chengdu after the flights from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou or Hong Kong.
1.2.2 Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center (TSLC) is located in Shanxi province, Northern China. It is mainly used for the launches of LEO satellites by LM-2C.
The customer’s airplanes carrying the SC and GSE can clear the Customs in Taiyuan free of check and the SC and equipment are transited to TSLC by train. The SC team can connect their journey to TSLC by train.
1.2.3 Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) is located in Gansu Province, Northwestern China. This launch site has a history of near thirty years. It is mainly used for the launches of LEO satellites by LM-2C and LM-2E.
The customer’s airplanes carrying the SC and GSE can clear the Customs in Beijing or Shanghai free of check. The SC team can connect their flight to Dingxin near JSLC.
1.3 Launch Record of Long March
Table 1-2 Flight Record of Long March till January 26, 2000
NO.
LV
Date
Payload
Mission
Launch Site
Result
1
LM-1 F-01
70.04.24
DFH-1
LEO
JSLC
Success
2
LM-1 F-02
71.03.03
SJ-1
LEO
JSLC
Success
3
LM-2 F-01
74.11.05
FHW-1
LEO
JSLC
Failure
4
LM-2C F-01
75.11.26
FHW-1
LEO
JSLC
Success
5
LM-2C F-02
76.12.07
FHW-1
LEO
JSLC
Success
6
LM-2C F-03
78.01.26
FHW-1
LEO
JSLC
Success
7
LM-2C F-04
82.09.09
FHW-1
LEO
JSLC
Success
8
LM-2C F-05
83.08.19
FHW-1
LEO
JSLC
Success
9
LM-3 F-01
84.01.29
DFH-2
GTO
XSLC
Failure
10
LM-3 F-02
84.04.08
DFH-2
GTO
XSLC
Success
11
LM-2C F-06
84.09.12
FHW-1
LEO
JSLC
Success
12
LM-2C F-07
85.10.21
FHW-1
LEO
JSLC
Success
13
LM-3 F-03
86.02.01
DFH-2A
GTO
XSLC
Success
14
LM-2C F-08
86.10.06
FHW-1
LEO
JSLC
Success
15
LM-2C F-09
87.08.05
FHW-1
LEO
JSLC
Success
16
LM-2C F-10
87.09.09
FHE-1A
LEO
JSLC
Success
17
LM-3 F-04
88.03.07
DFH-2A
GTO
XSLC
Success
18
LM-2C F-11
88.08.05
FHW-1A
LEO
JSLC
Success
19
LM-4 F-01
88.09.07
FY-1
SSO
TSLC
Success
20
LM-3 F-05
88.12.22
DFH-2A
GTO
XSLC
Success
21
LM-3 F-06
90.02.04
DFH-2A
GTO
XSLC
Success
22
LM-3 F-07
90.04.07
AsiaSat-1
GTO
XSLC
Success
23
LM-2E F-01
90.07.16
BARD-1/DP1
LEO
XSLC
Success
24
LM-4 F-02
90.09.03
FY-1/A-1, 2.
SSO
TSLC
Success
25
LM-2C F-12
90.10.05
FHW-1A
LEO
JSLC
Success
26
LM-3 F-08
91.12.28
DFH-2A
GTO
XSLC
Failure
27
LM-2D F-01
92.08.09
FHW-1B
LEO
JSLC
Success
28
LM-2E F-02
92.08.14
Aussat-B1
GTO
XSLC
Success
29
LM-2C F-13
92.10.05
Freja/FHW-1A
LEO
JSLC
Success
30
LM-2E F-03
92.12.21
Optus-B2
GTO
XSLC
Failure
31
LM-2C F-14
93.10.08
FHW-1A
LEO
JSLC
Success
32
LM-3A F-01
94.02.08
SJ-4/DP2
GTO
XSLC
Success
33
LM-2D F-02
94.07.03
FHW-1B
LEO
JSLC
Success
34
LM-3 F-09
94.07.21
APSTAR-I
GTO
XSLC
Success
35
LM-2E F-04
94.08.28
Optus-B3
GTO
XSLC
Success
36
LM-3A F-02
94.11.30
DFH-3
GTO
XSLC
Success
37
LM-2E F-05
95.01.26
APSTAR-II
GTO
XSLC
Failure
38
LM-2E F-06
95.11.28
AsiaSat-2
GTO
XSLC
Success
39
LM-2E F-07
95.12.28
EchoStar-1
GTO
XSLC
Success
40
LM-3B F-01
96.02.15
Intelsat-7A
GTO
XSLC
Failure
41
LM-3 F-10
96.07.03
APSTAR-IA
GTO
XSLC
Success
42
LM-3 F-11
96.08.18
ChinaSat-7
GTO
XSLC
Failure
43
LM-2D F03
96.10.20
FHW-1B
LEO
JSLC
Success
44
LM-3A F-03
97.05.12
DFH-3
GTO
XSLC
Success
45
LM-3 F-12
97.06.10
FY-2
GTO
XSLC
Success
46
LM-3B F-02
97.08.20
Mabuhay
GTO
XSLC
Success
47
LM-2C F-15
97.09.01
Iridium-DP
LEO
TSLC
Success
48
LM-3B F-03
97.10.17
APSTAR-IIR
GTO
XSLC
Success
49
LM-2C F-16
97.12.08
Iridium-D1
LEO
TSLC
Success
50
LM-2C F-17
98.03.26
Iridium-D2
LEO
TSLC
Success
51
LM-2C F-18
98.05.02
Iridium-D3
LEO
TSLC
Success
52
LM-3B F-04
98.05.30
ChinaStar-1
GTO
XSLC
Success
53
LM-3B F-05
98.07.18
SinoSat-1
GTO
XSLC
Success
54
LM-2C F-19
98.08.20
Iridium-R1
LEO
TSLC
Success
55
LM-2C F-20
98.12.19
Iridium-R2
LEO
TSLC
Success
56
LM-4 F-03
99.05.10
FY-1
SSO
TSLC
Success
57
LM-2C F-21
99.06.12
Iridium-R3
LEO
TSLC
Success
58
LM-4 F-04
99.10.14
ZY-1
SSO
TSLC
Success
59
LM-2F F-01
99.11.20
Manned Capsule
LEO
JSLC
Success
60
LM-3A F-04
2000.01.26
ChinaSat-22
GTO
XSLC
Success |
置顶卡
变色卡
千斤顶
显身卡
