CZ-3

The Long March 3 was a three-stage launch vehicle designed for delivery of satellites of 1,500 kg mass into geosynchronous transfer orbit. The first and second stages were based on the CZ-2C, and designed and manufactured by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology. The majority of the technology and flight hardware used in the CZ-3 had been qualified and proven on the CZ-2C. The third stage, manufactured by CALT, was equipped with an LOX/LH2 cryogenic engine. Long March 3 was also capable of placing spacecraft into an elliptical or circular low earth orbit and sun synchronous orbit.

The third stage used the first Chinese liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen engine. This had a vacuum thrust of 44 kN (4.5 tonnes thrust) and was capable of one restart. Development of the cryogenic third stage engine was a major technical achievement. This advanced in technology engine was superior in performance (vacuum specific impulse 50% more than that of a conventional propellant engine). Its combustion products were safe and non- toxic. But the boiling points of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen were low (-253 deg C and –183 deg C respectively) and they were inflammable and explosive. Many problems in low temperature technology and multiple restarting of the engine in high vacuum and zero-G had to be solved. During development longitudinal coupling vibration was a knotty problem that took some time to cure. The problems were all surmounted under the leadership of Chief Designer Xie Guanxuan.

Manufacturer: CALT. Launches: 13. Failures: 2. Success Rate: 84.62%. First Launch Date: 1984-01-29. Last Launch Date: 2000-06-25. Launch data is: continuing. LEO Payload: 4,800 kg (10,500 lb). to: 200 km Orbit. at: 28.50 degrees. Payload: 1,400 kg (3,000 lb). to a: Geosynchronous transfer trajectory. Apogee: 40,000 km (24,000 mi). Associated Spacecraft: DFH-2, FY-2, HS 376. Liftoff Thrust: 2,960.000 kN (665,430 lbf). Total Mass: 204,000 kg (449,000 lb). Core Diameter: 3.35 m (10.99 ft). Total Length: 43.25 m (141.89 ft). Launch Price $: 40.000 million. in: 1999 price dollars.

• Stage Number: 1. 1 x Stage: CZ-3-1. Gross Mass: 151,000 kg (332,000 lb). Empty Mass: 9,000 kg (19,800 lb). Thrust (vac): 3,000.000 kN (674,400 lbf). Isp: 289 sec. Burn time: 132 sec. Isp(sl): 259 sec. Diameter: 3.35 m (10.99 ft). Span: 6.00 m (19.60 ft). Length: 20.22 m (66.33 ft). Propellants: N2O4/UDMH. No Engines: 4. Engine: YF-20A. Other designations: L-140. Status: Out of production.

• Stage Number: 2. 1 x Stage: CZ-3-2. Gross Mass: 39,000 kg (85,000 lb). Empty Mass: 4,000 kg (8,800 lb). Thrust (vac): 761.900 kN (171,282 lbf). Isp: 295 sec. Burn time: 130 sec. Isp(sl): 270 sec. Diameter: 3.35 m (10.99 ft). Span: 3.35 m (10.99 ft). Length: 9.71 m (31.85 ft). Propellants: N2O4/UDMH. No Engines: 1. Engine: YF-22A/23A. Other designations: L-35. Status: Out of production.

• Stage Number: 3. 1 x Stage: CZ-3-3. Gross Mass: 10,500 kg (23,100 lb). Empty Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Thrust (vac): 44.100 kN (9,914 lbf). Isp: 425 sec. Burn time: 800 sec. Diameter: 2.25 m (7.38 ft). Span: 2.25 m (7.38 ft). Length: 7.48 m (24.54 ft). Propellants: Lox/LH2. No Engines: 4. Engine: YF-73. Other designations: H-8. Status: In development.

1984 January 29 - 12:25 GMT - Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: LC1. Launch Vehicle: CZ-3. Model: Chang Zheng 3. LV Configuration: Chang Zheng 3 CZ3-1 (9). FAILURE: Third stage failed to ignite.

• STTW-T1 Nation: China. Payload: STTW-T1. Mass: 900 kg (1,980 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: DFH-2. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 484 km (300 mi). Apogee: 6,446 km (4,005 mi). Inclination: 36.10 deg. Period: 162.00 min. COSPAR: 1984-008A. USAF Sat Cat: 14670. First launch of a prototype DFH-2 communications satellite. Payload stranded in low earth orbit, but all subsystems including the communications payload were completely checked and tested. References: 1, 2, 5, 6.

• STTW-T2 Nation: China. Payload: STTW-T2. Mass: 900 kg (1,980 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: DFH-2. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 35,733 km (22,203 mi). Apogee: 35,796 km (22,242 mi). Inclination: 6.10 deg. Period: 1,435.00 min. COSPAR: 1984-035A. USAF Sat Cat: 14899. Completed Operations Date: 1988-06-28. Prototype of DFH-2 communications satellite. After on-orbit testing and check out of the satellite and the ground stations, the satellite system was declared operational, and was used experimentally for the transmission of television, telephone, and data messages with good results. It stayed in operation for more than four years, exceeding the design life of three years by a comfortable margin. Operated in geosynchronous orbit at 125 deg E in 1984-1988. As of 4 September 2001 located at 40.81 deg E drifting at 0.320 deg W per day. As of 2007 Feb 27 located at 133.57E drifting at 0.079W degrees per day.References: 1, 2, 5, 6.

• STTW 1 Nation: China. Payload: STTW 1. Mass: 1,024 kg (2,257 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: DFH-2. Agency: MAI. Perigee: 35,774 km (22,228 mi). Apogee: 35,819 km (22,256 mi). Inclination: 9.80 deg. Period: 1,436.60 min. COSPAR: 1986-010A. USAF Sat Cat: 16526. Completed Operations Date: 1990-06-01. Second successful DFH-2 launch. Also designated STW-2, the satellite was positioned at 103 deg E. In comparison to the first two DFH-2's, a parabolic antenna reflector replaced the horn antenna. Operated in geosynchronous orbit at 103 deg E in 1986-1990. As of 3 September 2001 located at 102.75 deg E drifting at 0.030 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 46.50E drifting at 0.019E degrees per day.References: 1, 2, 5, 6.

• Zhongxing-1 Nation: China. Payload: STTW 2. Mass: 1,024 kg (2,257 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: DFH-2. Agency: Chinasat. Perigee: 35,786 km (22,236 mi). Apogee: 35,789 km (22,238 mi). Inclination: 0.50 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 1988-014A. USAF Sat Cat: 18922. Completed Operations Date: 1997-07-01. Operated in geosynchronous orbit at 87 deg E in 1988-1997. As of 28 August 2001 located at 87.94 deg E drifting at 0.038 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 64.00E drifting at 0.067E degrees per day. References: 1, 2, 5, 6.

• Zhongxing-2 Nation: China. Payload: STTW 3. Mass: 1,024 kg (2,257 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: DFH-2. Agency: Chinasat. Perigee: 35,787 km (22,236 mi). Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 1988-111A. USAF Sat Cat: 19710. Operated in geosynchronous orbit at 110 deg E in 1989-1999. As of 27 August 2001 located at 91.92 deg E drifting at 0.244 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 83.40E drifting at 0.283W degrees per day. References: 1, 2, 5, 6.

• Zhongxing-3 Nation: China. Payload: STTW 4. Mass: 1,024 kg (2,257 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: DFH-2. Agency: Chinasat. Perigee: 35,783 km (22,234 mi). Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.30 min. COSPAR: 1990-011A. USAF Sat Cat: 20473. Completed Operations Date: 1998-07-01. National operational communications satellite. Designation 1990-2. Operated in geosynchronous orbit at 98 deg E in 1990-1998. As of 4 September 2001 located at 52.36 deg E drifting at 0.045 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 96.88E drifting at 0.061W degrees per day.References: 1, 2, 5, 6.

• Asiasat 1 Nation: China. Program: Asiasat. Mass: 1,442 kg (3,179 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 376. Agency: Asiasat. Manufacturer: Hughes Space and Communications, El Segundo. Perigee: 35,786 km (22,236 mi). Apogee: 35,789 km (22,238 mi). Inclination: 2.70 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 1990-030A. USAF Sat Cat: 20558. First commercial Chinese launch; Stationed at 105 deg E; formerly Westar 6 (retrieved by STS-51A and refurbished). Fixed-satellite telecommunication services and transmission of television signals. Operational life about 10 years. Orbital position 105.5E. Owner/operator: Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co, Ltd. 23-24/F, East Exchange Tower, 38-40 Leighton Rd, Hong K ong. Telex 68345 ASAT HX Fax 852 576 4111. Operated in geosynchronous orbit at 105 deg E in 1990-1999; 122 deg E in 1999-2000. As of 3 September 2001 located at 121.97 deg E drifting at 0.009 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 23.96E drifting at 3.706W degrees per day.References: 1, 2, 5, 6.

• Zhongxing-4 Nation: China. Payload: STTW 5. Mass: 1,025 kg (2,259 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: DFH-2. Agency: Chinasat. Perigee: 2,023 km (1,257 mi). Apogee: 34,041 km (21,152 mi). Inclination: 32.30 deg. Period: 632.60 min. COSPAR: 1991-088A. USAF Sat Cat: 21833. Third stage failure; unusable orbit. DFH-2 operational communications satellite. References: 1, 2, 5, 6.

• Apstar 1 Nation: China. Program: Apstar. Mass: 1,383 kg (3,048 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 376. Agency: APT. Perigee: 35,785 km (22,235 mi). Apogee: 35,789 km (22,238 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.12 min. COSPAR: 1994-043A. USAF Sat Cat: 23185. Asia-Pacific communications. Operated in geosynchronous orbit at 138 deg E in 1994-1999. As of 5 September 2001 located at 138.04 deg E drifting at 0.004 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 141.96E drifting at 0.002W degrees per day. References: 2, 5, 6.

• Apstar 1A Nation: China. Program: Apstar. Mass: 2,800 kg (6,100 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 376. Agency: APT. Perigee: 35,785 km (22,235 mi). Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1996-039A. USAF Sat Cat: 23943. 24 C-band transponders; Operated in geosynchronous orbit at 134 deg E in 1996-1999. As of 6 September 2001 located at 134.02 deg E drifting at 0.013 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 129.99E drifting at 0.007E degrees per day. References: 4, 6.

• Zhongxing 7 Nation: China. Program: Chinastar. Payload: Zhongxing 7. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 376. Agency: Chinasat. Perigee: 21,674 km (13,467 mi). Apogee: 46,499 km (28,893 mi). Inclination: 26.30 deg. Period: 1,350.20 min. COSPAR: 1996-048A. USAF Sat Cat: 24282. References: 4.

• FY-2A Nation: China. Payload: Fengyun 2A. Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: FY-2. Agency: CASC. Manufacturer: Shanghai Aerospace Research Tech. Inst. Perigee: 35,783 km (22,234 mi). Apogee: 35,784 km (22,235 mi). Inclination: 0.80 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1997-029A. USAF Sat Cat: 24834. Geosynchronous weather satellite; also known as FY-2B. Operated in geosynchronous orbit at 105 deg E in 1997-2000; 85 deg E in 2000.. The FY-2A stopped transmission in April 1998 but was put back into partial operation in December 1998. Its imager then failed completely on 30 September 1998 and it was retired in April 2000. As of 4 September 2001 located at 83.55 deg E drifting at 0.074 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 58.96E drifting at 0.025W degrees per day.References: 4.

• Fengyun-2 Nation: China. Mass: 1,250 kg (2,750 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: FY-2. Agency: CASC. Manufacturer: Shanghai Inst. of Satellite Engineering. Perigee: 35,786 km (22,236 mi). Apogee: 35,790 km (22,230 mi). Inclination: 0.80 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 2000-032A. USAF Sat Cat: 26382. Second Fengyun-2 weather satellite, replacing the first FY-2 (retired in April after a three year service life). The spin-stabilised FY-2 fired its solid apogee motor early on Jun 26. By July 3, it was in a 35,791 x 35,804 km x 1.1 deg orbit drifting over the Pacific. Stationed at 104 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 110 deg E in 2000. As of 5 September 2001 located at 104.56 deg E drifting at 0.030 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 34.70W drifting at 0.629W degrees per day.References: 4, 552, 554.

• McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.

• Isakowitz, Steven J,, International Reference to Space Launch Systems Second Edition, AIAA, Washington DC, 1991 (succeeded by 2000 edition). ISBN: 1563473534. Superseded by the later editions. More at amazon.com...

• Wilson, Andrew, editor,, Jane's/Interavia Space Directory, Jane's Information Group, Coulsdon, Surrey, 1992 et al. ISBN: 0710618107. The most comprehensive source of information for current space projects. Too expensive for human beings and most libraries. More at amazon.com...