Long March 3A

Long March 3A

The launch of Chang'e 1 using a Long March 3A at Xichang Satellite Launch Center
Function	Carrier rocket
Manufacturer	CALT
Country of origin	China
Size
Height	52.52 metres (172.3 ft)[1]
Diameter	3.35 metres (11.0 ft)[1]
Mass	241,000 kilograms (530,000 lb)[1]
Stages	3
Capacity
Payload to GTO	2,600 kilograms (5,700 lb)[2]
Associated rockets
Family	Long March
Derivatives	Long March 3B
Launch history
Status	Active
Launch sites	LC-2, XSLC
Total launches	21[2]
Successes	21[2]
Maiden flight	8 February 1994[2]

The Long March 3A (Chinese: 长征三号甲火箭), also known as the Chang Zheng 3A, CZ-3A and LM-3A, is a Chinese orbital carrier rocket. It is a 3-stage rocket, and is usually used to place communications satellites and Beidou navigation satellites into geosynchronous transfer orbits.

It has formed the basis of the Long March 3B, which is a heavier version with four liquid booster rockets.

Launches

Long March 3A rockets have been launched from Launch Areas 2 and 3 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre. Its maiden flight was on 8 February 1994. On 24 October 2007, a Long March 3A launched Chang'e-1, the first Chinese Lunar probe.^{[citation needed]}

The Long March 3A has made 17 consecutive successful launches with an overall perfect launch record.^{[citation needed]}

Technical data

Drawing of Long March 3A

LM-3A is a 3-stage launch vehicle developed on the basis of LM-3 and LM-2C. Its third stage is powered by cryogenic propellants: liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. It is dedicated for launching spacecraft into GTO. Its launch capability for GTO mission is 2,600 kg. The fairing static envelope is 3m in diameter.^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Mark Wade. "CZ-3A". Encyclopedia Astronautica. http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/cz.htm. Retrieved 2010-05-25. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} "LM-3A". China Great Wall Industry Corporation. http://www.cgwic.com/LaunchServices/LaunchVehicle/LM3A.html. Retrieved 2010-05-25.