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Chang Zheng 3A

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CZ-3A

AKA: Chang Zheng-3A;CZ-3A;Long March 3A. Status: Active. First Launch: 1994-02-08. Last Launch: 2018-07-09. Number: 27 . Payload: 7,200 kg (15,800 lb). Thrust: 2,960.00 kN (665,430 lbf). Gross mass: 241,000 kg (531,000 lb). Height: 52.50 m (172.20 ft). Diameter: 3.35 m (10.99 ft). Apogee: 200 km (120 mi).

The CZ-3A's geosynchronous transfer orbit payload capability was 2,700kg. By June 30, 1998, the CZ-3A had made three consecutive successful launches, and was offered to international customers.

LEO Payload: 7,200 kg (15,800 lb) to a 200 km orbit at 28.50 degrees. Payload: 2,600 kg (5,700 lb) to a GTO. Launch Price $: 55.000 million in 1999 dollars.

Stage Data - CZ-3A

• Stage 1. 1 x CZ-3A-1. Gross Mass: 179,000 kg (394,000 lb). Empty Mass: 9,000 kg (19,800 lb). Thrust (vac): 3,265.143 kN (734,033 lbf). Isp: 289 sec. Burn time: 155 sec. Isp(sl): 259 sec. Diameter: 3.35 m (10.99 ft). Span: 7.00 m (22.90 ft). Length: 23.08 m (75.72 ft). Propellants: N2O4/UDMH. No Engines: 4. Engine: YF-20B. Other designations: L-180. Status: In Production.

• Stage 2. 1 x CZ-3A-2. Gross Mass: 33,600 kg (74,000 lb). Empty Mass: 4,000 kg (8,800 lb). Thrust (vac): 831.005 kN (186,817 lbf). Isp: 297 sec. Burn time: 110 sec. Isp(sl): 260 sec. Diameter: 3.35 m (10.99 ft). Span: 3.35 m (10.99 ft). Length: 11.53 m (37.82 ft). Propellants: N2O4/UDMH. No Engines: 1. Engine: YF-25/23. Other designations: L-35. Status: In Production.

• Stage 3. 1 x CZ-3A-3. Gross Mass: 21,000 kg (46,000 lb). Empty Mass: 2,800 kg (6,100 lb). Thrust (vac): 156.000 kN (35,070 lbf). Isp: 440 sec. Burn time: 470 sec. Diameter: 3.00 m (9.80 ft). Span: 3.00 m (9.80 ft). Length: 12.38 m (40.60 ft). Propellants: Lox/LH2. No Engines: 2. Engine: YF-75. Other designations: H-18. Status: In Production.

Photo Gallery

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LM-3A Long March LM-3A launch vehicle on the launch pad.

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• SJ-4 - . Payload: Shi Jian 4. Mass: 400 kg (880 lb). Nation: China. Agency: CASC. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: SJ. USAF Sat Cat: 22996 . COSPAR: 1994-010A. Apogee: 26,837 km (16,675 mi). Perigee: 195 km (121 mi). Inclination: 28.70 deg. Period: 465.40 min. Particles and fields research. .

• KF-1 - . Payload: Kua Fu 1 / DFH-3 mockup. Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Nation: China. Agency: CASC. Program: Chinastar. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: DFH-3. Decay Date: 2002-02-07 . USAF Sat Cat: 23009 . COSPAR: 1994-010B. Apogee: 36,046 km (22,397 mi). Perigee: 178 km (110 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 635.69 min. Mass model of DFH-3 satellite..

• Zhongxing 5 - . Payload: Chinasat 5. Mass: 2,230 kg (4,910 lb). Nation: China. Agency: Chinasat. Program: Chinasat. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: DFH-3. Completed Operations Date: 1994-12-01 . USAF Sat Cat: 23415 . COSPAR: 1994-080A. Apogee: 35,957 km (22,342 mi). Perigee: 35,225 km (21,887 mi). Inclination: 0.15 deg. Period: 1,426.15 min.

  The first test launch of a DFH-3 by a CZ-3A launch vehicle was successful in attaining the proper transfer orbit, but during the subsequent manoeuvres to achieve geostationary orbit, the DFH-3 failed due to a malfunction of the satellite on-board propulsion system. The satellite was positioned at 132 deg E prior to the failure. As of 4 September 2001 located at 113.80 deg E drifting at 2.499 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 2 located at 90.02E drifting at 2.513E degrees per day.

• Zhongxing 6 - . Payload: Chinasat 6. Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Nation: China. Agency: Chinasat. Program: Chinasat. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: DFH-3. USAF Sat Cat: 24798 . COSPAR: 1997-021A. Apogee: 35,797 km (22,243 mi). Perigee: 35,776 km (22,230 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  The telecommunications satellite, the most sophisticated and complex satellite ever built in China, was equipped with 24 transponders used for television, digital transmission and other telecommunications services. It had a design life eight years. After over one year of tests the satellite was delivered to the end user, China Telecommunications Broadcast Satellite Corporation (Chinasat) on August 12 1998. A long term operation contract for the redesignated Chinasat-6 was signed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), Chinasat and the Xian Satellite Control Center. Chinasat-6 operated in geosynchronous orbit at 125 deg E in 1997-1999. As of 5 September 2001 located at 124.99 deg E drifting at 0.011 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 6 located at 123.93E drifting at 0.104W degrees per day.

• Zhongxing 22 - . Payload: Chinasat 7 / Feng Huo 1-1. Mass: 2,300 kg (5,000 lb). Nation: China. Agency: SISE. Manufacturer: CAST. Program: Chinasat. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: DFH-3. USAF Sat Cat: 26058 . COSPAR: 2000-003A. Apogee: 35,794 km (22,241 mi). Perigee: 35,781 km (22,233 mi). Inclination: 3.20 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  First Chinese military communications satellite. First of the Feng Huo series for secure digital data and voice tactical military communications. Stationed at 98 deg E. The first in a planned constellation of satellites to be launched through 2010. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 98 deg E in 2000. As of 5 September 2001 located at 98.03 deg E drifting at 0.005 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 97.95E drifting at 0.009W degrees per day.

• Beidou 1A - . Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Nation: China. Agency: CNSA. Manufacturer: CAST. Class: Navigation. Type: Navigation satellite. Spacecraft: DFH-3. USAF Sat Cat: 26599 . COSPAR: 2000-069A. Apogee: 35,805 km (22,248 mi). Perigee: 35,774 km (22,228 mi). Inclination: 2.60 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min.

  China's first navigation satellite, developed by CAST/Beijing. The satellite, the first in the Beidou-1 constellation, was placed in an initial 195 x 41889 km x 25.0 deg orbit geostationary transfer orbit before entering its final geosynchornous orbit at around 05:00 GMT on November 6. Stationed at 140 deg E, still maintaining its position within 0.1 deg as of 2007. No longer in use as of 2009.

• Beidou 1B - . Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Nation: China. Agency: CNSA. Manufacturer: CAST. Class: Navigation. Type: Navigation satellite. Spacecraft: DFH-3. USAF Sat Cat: 26643 . COSPAR: 2000-082A. Apogee: 35,821 km (22,258 mi). Perigee: 35,753 km (22,215 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  Second Beidou-1 geosynchronous navigation satellite. The CZ-3A rocket's third stage put Beidou in geostationary transfer orbit at around 16:42 GMT. The Beidou satellite was based on the DFH-3 comsat and had a mass of around 2200 kg including its FY-25 solid apogee motor. On December 25 Beidou was in a 190 x 41870 km x 25.0 deg transfer orbit. The launch of this second Beidou completed the prototype two-satellite navigational system which was to provide positional information for highway, railway and marine transportation. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 80 deg E, still maintaining its position within 0.1 deg as of 2007. Retired after launch of the Beidou-2 geosynchronous satellites in 2010.

• Beidou 2A - . Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Nation: China. Agency: SISE. Class: Navigation. Type: Navigation satellite. Spacecraft: DFH-3. USAF Sat Cat: 27813 . COSPAR: 2003-021A. Apogee: 35,836 km (22,267 mi). Perigee: 35,760 km (22,220 mi). Inclination: 0.30 deg. Period: 1,436.70 min.

  Navigation satellite, joined Beidou 1A and 1B launched in December 2000. This third satellite was considered a back-up element, Positioned at 110 deg E, still maintaining its position within 0.1 deg as of 2007. Retired after launch of the Beidou-2 geosynchronous satellites in 2010.

• Zhongxing 20 - . Payload: Chinasat 20 / Shentong 1-1. Mass: 2,300 kg (5,000 lb). Nation: China. Agency: SISE. Program: Chinasat. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: DFH-3. USAF Sat Cat: 28082 . COSPAR: 2003-052A. Apogee: 35,811 km (22,251 mi). Perigee: 35,762 km (22,221 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. Military communications satellite. First of the Shentong series operated by the Chinese Army to provide secure voice and data communications services for ground users using Ku-band. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 103.00E drifting at 0.010W degrees per day..

• FY-2C - . Mass: 1,380 kg (3,040 lb). Nation: China. Agency: SISE. Class: Earth. Type: Weather satellite. Spacecraft: FY-2. USAF Sat Cat: 28451 . COSPAR: 2004-042A. Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Perigee: 35,786 km (22,236 mi). Inclination: 0.70 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min.

  Third Fengyun-2 weather satellite. The apogee motor placed the satellite into a drifting geostationary orbit. As of the date of the launch, four FY-2 satellites had been launched. FY-2 01 was destroyed in a ground fire 1994. FY-2 02 / FY-2A was placed in reserve in May 2000 86 deg E; and FY-2 03 / FY-2B was operational at 123 deg E. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 104.44E drifting at 0.026W degrees per day.

• Zhongxing 22A - . Payload: Chinasat 22A / Feng Huo 1-2. Mass: 2,300 kg (5,000 lb). Nation: China. Agency: CTBSC. Manufacturer: CAST. Program: Chinasat. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: DFH-3. USAF Sat Cat: 29398 . COSPAR: 2006-038A. Apogee: 35,817 km (22,255 mi). Perigee: 35,757 km (22,218 mi). Inclination: 0.40 deg. Period: 1,000.00 min.

  Military communications satellite, launched to replace Zhongxing 22 in geosynchronous orbit at 98.0 E. Part of the Feng Huo series for secure digital data and voice tactical military communications. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 98.10E drifting at 0.006W degrees per day.

• FY-2D - . Payload: Fengyun 2D. Mass: 1,380 kg (3,040 lb). Nation: China. Agency: SISE. Class: Earth. Type: Weather satellite. Spacecraft: FY-2. Decay Date: 2006-12-09 . USAF Sat Cat: 29641 . COSPAR: 2006-053B. Apogee: 35,789 km (22,238 mi). Perigee: 35,781 km (22,233 mi). Inclination: 2.60 deg. Period: 1,436.00 min.

  Fourth Wind and Cloud 2 geostationary weather satellite with an infrared radiometer as its primary instrument. The booster placed the spacecraft in a 226 x 36221 km x 24.9 deg geosynchronous transfer orbit. The FG-36 solid apogee motor aboard the satellite burned at 18:07 GMT and placed the FY-2D into an initial 35786 x 36478 km x 2.6 deg geosynchronous drift orbit.

• Beidou 1D - . Payload: DFH-3A. Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Nation: China. Agency: SISE. Class: Navigation. Type: Navigation satellite. Spacecraft: DFH-3. USAF Sat Cat: 30323 . COSPAR: 2007-003A. Apogee: 36,248 km (22,523 mi). Perigee: 35,326 km (21,950 mi). Inclination: 6.20 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  Navigation satellite. It did not reach geostationary orbit until early April following deployment problems with its solar panels and reports of US detection of a debris cloud at the time of the original expected apogee firing. As of 2010 reported to have suffered a control failure.

• Beidou M1 - . Payload: Beidou DW5. Mass: 2,800 kg (6,100 lb). Nation: China. Agency: CASC. Manufacturer: CAST. Class: Navigation. Type: Navigation satellite. Spacecraft: Beidou-MEO. USAF Sat Cat: 31115 . COSPAR: 2007-011A. Apogee: 21,544 km (13,386 mi). Perigee: 21,519 km (13,371 mi). Inclination: 55.30 deg. Period: 773.40 min. The fifth Beidou satellite, but the first in the 12-hour, 55 deg inclination MEO portion of the constellation. Tested frequencies and equipment for later operational MEO component of the Beidou-2 constellation..

• Sinosat 3 - . Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Nation: China. Agency: SinoSatCom. Manufacturer: CAST. Program: Sinosat. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: DFH-3. USAF Sat Cat: 31577 . COSPAR: 2007-021A. Apogee: 35,793 km (22,240 mi). Perigee: 35,779 km (22,231 mi). Inclination: 0.30 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. Chinese C-band domestic communications satellite, launched as part of a campaign to prepare for the 2008 Olympic Games, and to compensate for failure of the first DFH-4 satellite..

• Chang'e 1 - . Mass: 2,300 kg (5,000 lb). Nation: China. Agency: SISE. Class: Moon. Type: Lunar probe. Spacecraft: DFH-3. Decay Date: 2008-01-28 . USAF Sat Cat: 32273 . COSPAR: 2007-051B. Apogee: 50,182 km (31,181 mi). Perigee: 147 km (91 mi). Inclination: 30.80 deg. Period: 929.20 min.

  China's first unmanned lunar/planetary probe. The initial orbit of 221 x 50,602 km x 31.0 deg was raised to a translunar trajectory by 31 October in a serious of spacecraft engine burns. The spacecraft entered a 210 km x 8600 km lunar orbit at 03:37 GMT on 5 November.

• FY-2E - . Mass: 1,380 kg (3,040 lb). Nation: China. Agency: SISE. Class: Earth. Type: Weather satellite. Spacecraft: FY-2. USAF Sat Cat: 33463 . COSPAR: 2008-066A. Apogee: 35,806 km (22,248 mi). Perigee: 35,771 km (22,227 mi). Inclination: 2.60 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. Member of China's geosynchronous weather satellite constellation..

• Beidou IGS 1 - . Payload: Beidou DW5. Mass: 2,600 kg (5,700 lb). Nation: China. Agency: SISE. Class: Navigation. Type: Navigation satellite. Spacecraft: Beidou-IGSO. USAF Sat Cat: 36828 . COSPAR: 2010-036A. Apogee: 35,901 km (22,307 mi). Perigee: 35,680 km (22,170 mi). Inclination: 55.00 deg. Period: 1,436.30 min. First satellite placed in the Beidou-2 inclined geosynchronous orbit constellation; placed in Plane 1 at 118 deg E..

• Zhongxing 20A - . Payload: Chinasat 20A / Shentong 1-2. Mass: 2,300 kg (5,000 lb). Nation: China. Program: Chinasat. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: DFH-3. USAF Sat Cat: 37234 . COSPAR: 2010-064A. Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Perigee: 35,778 km (22,231 mi). Inclination: 0.40 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. Second of the Shentong series operated by the Chinese Army to provide secure voice and data communications services for ground users using Ku-band..

• Beidou IGS 2 - . Payload: Beidou DW7. Mass: 2,600 kg (5,700 lb). Nation: China. Agency: SISE. Class: Navigation. Type: Navigation satellite. Spacecraft: Beidou-IGSO. USAF Sat Cat: 37256 . COSPAR: 2010-068A. Apogee: 35,857 km (22,280 mi). Perigee: 35,722 km (22,196 mi). Inclination: 55.20 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. Second satellite placed in the Beidou-2 inclined geosynchronous orbit constellation; placed in Plane 1 at 118 deg E..

• Beidou IGS 3 - . Payload: Beidou DW8. Mass: 2,600 kg (5,700 lb). Nation: China. Agency: SISE. Class: Navigation. Type: Navigation satellite. Spacecraft: Beidou-IGSO. USAF Sat Cat: 37384 . COSPAR: 2011-013A. Apogee: 35,874 km (22,291 mi). Perigee: 35,696 km (22,180 mi). Inclination: 55.30 deg. Period: 1,436.00 min. Third satellite placed in the Beidou-2 inclined geosynchronous orbit constellation; placed in Plane 1 at 118 deg E. This completed population of the first plane of the IGSO component..

• Beidou IGS 4 - . Payload: Beidou DW9. Mass: 2,600 kg (5,700 lb). Nation: China. Agency: SISE. Class: Navigation. Type: Navigation satellite. Spacecraft: Beidou-IGSO. USAF Sat Cat: 37763 . COSPAR: 2011-038A. Apogee: 35,864 km (22,284 mi). Perigee: 35,698 km (22,181 mi). Inclination: 55.20 deg. Period: 1,435.80 min. Fourth satellite placed in the Beidou-2 inclined geosynchronous orbit constellation; placed in Plane 2 at 95 deg E..

• Beidou IGS 5 - . Payload: Beidou DW10. Mass: 2,600 kg (5,700 lb). Nation: China. Agency: SISE. Class: Navigation. Type: Navigation satellite. Spacecraft: Beidou-IGSO. USAF Sat Cat: 37948 . COSPAR: 2011-073A. Apogee: 35,866 km (22,286 mi). Perigee: 35,705 km (22,186 mi). Inclination: 55.20 deg. Period: 1,436.00 min. Fifth satellite placed in the Beidou-2 inclined geosynchronous orbit constellation; placed in Plane 2 at 95 deg E. This ended launches into the IGSO component for the next several years..

• FY-2F - . Mass: 1,380 kg (3,040 lb). Nation: China. Class: Earth. Type: Weather satellite. Spacecraft: FY-2. USAF Sat Cat: 38049 . COSPAR: 2012-002A. Apogee: 35,811 km (22,251 mi). Perigee: 35,758 km (22,218 mi). Inclination: 2.40 deg. Period: 1,436.00 min. Replenishment of China's geosynchronous weather satellite constellation..

• FY-2-08 - . Mass: 1,380 kg (3,040 lb). Nation: China. Class: Earth. Type: Weather satellite. Spacecraft: FY-2. USAF Sat Cat: 40367 . COSPAR: 2014-090A. Apogee: 35,796 km (22,242 mi). Perigee: 35,781 km (22,233 mi). Inclination: 1.63 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. Eighth FY-2 weather satellite for China's National Satellite Monitoring Centre. The satellite was placed in GEO using a solid apogee motor which was then ejected.. Stationed in geosynchronous orbit at 100 deg east..

• Beidou DW 22 - . Payload: Beidou IGSO 6. Nation: China. Class: Navigation. Type: Navigation satellite. Spacecraft: Beidou-IGSO. USAF Sat Cat: 41434 . COSPAR: 2016-021A. Apogee: 35,796 km (22,242 mi). Perigee: 195 km (121 mi). Inclination: 55.00 deg.

• Feng Yun 2H - . Payload: fengyun erhao 09 xing. Nation: China. USAF Sat Cat: 43491 . COSPAR: 2018-050A. Apogee: 35,794 km (22,241 mi). Perigee: 35,777 km (22,230 mi). Inclination: 1.81 deg. Period: 1,436.06 min. See FY 2H (FY-2 09). ..

• Beidou DW 32 - . Payload: sanshier ke BDW; BEIDOU IGSO-7. Nation: China. USAF Sat Cat: 43539 . COSPAR: 2018-057A. Apogee: 35,880 km (22,290 mi). Perigee: 35,695 km (22,179 mi). Inclination: 55.04 deg. Period: 1,436.15 min. See BD-2 I7 (Beidou 32). ..