CZ-3A

The Long March 3A was a three-stage launch vehicle. By incorporating the mature technologies of the CZ-3 and adding a more powerful cryogenic third stage and more capable control system, the CZ-3A had a greater geosynchronous transfer orbit capability, greater flexibility for attitude control, and better adaptability to a variety of launch missions.

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.

Manufacturer: CALT. Launches: 14. Success Rate: 100.00%. First Launch Date: 1994-02-08. Last Launch Date: 2007-05-31. Launch data is: continuing. LEO Payload: 7,200 kg (15,800 lb). to: 200 km Orbit. at: 28.50 degrees. Payload: 2,600 kg (5,700 lb). to a: Geosynchronous transfer trajectory. Apogee: 40,000 km (24,000 mi). Associated Spacecraft: Beidou, DFH-3, FH-1, SJ. Liftoff Thrust: 2,960.000 kN (665,430 lbf). Total Mass: 241,000 kg (531,000 lb). Core Diameter: 3.35 m (10.99 ft). Total Length: 52.50 m (172.20 ft). Launch Price $: 55.000 million. in: 1999 price dollars.

• Stage Number: 1. 1 x Stage: 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: Development ended 1997.

• Stage Number: 2. 1 x Stage: 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 Number: 3. 1 x Stage: 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: Development ended 1997.

1994 February 8 - 08:34 GMT - Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Complex: LC2. Launch Pad: LC2. Launch Vehicle: CZ-3A. Model: Chang Zheng 3A. LV Configuration: Chang Zheng 3A CZ3A-1 (32).

• SJ-4 Nation: China. Payload: Shi Jian 4. Mass: 400 kg (880 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: SJ. Agency: CASC. Perigee: 195 km (121 mi). Apogee: 26,837 km (16,675 mi). Inclination: 28.70 deg. Period: 465.40 min. COSPAR: 1994-010A. USAF Sat Cat: 22996. Particles and fields research. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 276.

• KF-1 Nation: China. Program: Chinastar. Payload: Kua Fu 1 / DFH-3 mockup. Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: DFH-3. Agency: CASC. Perigee: 178 km (110 mi). Apogee: 36,046 km (22,397 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 635.69 min. COSPAR: 1994-010B. USAF Sat Cat: 23009. Decay Date: 2002-02-07. Mass model of DFH-3 satellite. References: 279.

• Zhongxing-5 Nation: China. Program: Chinastar. Mass: 2,230 kg (4,910 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: DFH-3. Agency: Chinasat. Perigee: 35,225 km (21,887 mi). Apogee: 35,957 km (22,342 mi). Inclination: 0.15 deg. Period: 1,426.15 min. COSPAR: 1994-080A. USAF Sat Cat: 23415. Completed Operations Date: 1994-12-01. 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.References: 2, 5, 6.

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

• Zhongxing-22 Nation: China. Mass: 2,300 kg (5,000 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: FH-1. Agency: CAST. Manufacturer: China Acad. Space Tech., Beijing. Perigee: 35,771 km (22,227 mi). Apogee: 35,803 km (22,246 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. COSPAR: 2000-003A. USAF Sat Cat: 26058. First Chinese military communications satellite. Perhaps an update of the DFH-3 design. 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.References: 4, 552, 554.

• Beidou 1A Nation: China. Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Beidou. Agency: CNSA. Manufacturer: China Acad. Space Tech., Beijing. Perigee: 35,772 km (22,227 mi). Apogee: 35,803 km (22,246 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. COSPAR: 2000-069A. USAF Sat Cat: 26599. Beidou was China's first experimental navigation technology satellite, developed by CAST/Beijing. The satellite 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 0500 GMT on November 6. Stationed at 140 deg E, still maintaining its position within 0.1 deg as of 2007.References: 4, 552, 554.

• Beidou 1B Nation: China. Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Beidou. Agency: CNSA. Manufacturer: China Acad. Space Tech., Beijing. Perigee: 35,753 km (22,215 mi). Apogee: 35,821 km (22,258 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2000-082A. USAF Sat Cat: 26643. Second Beidou geosynchronous navigation satellite. The CZ-3A rocket's third stage put Beidou in geostationary transfer orbit at around 1642 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.References: 4, 552, 554.

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

• Zhongxing 20 Nation: China. Payload: Feng Huo 2. Mass: 2,300 kg (5,000 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: DFH-3. Perigee: 35,762 km (22,221 mi). Apogee: 35,811 km (22,251 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2003-052A. USAF Sat Cat: 28082. Military communications satellite. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 103.00E drifting at 0.010W degrees per day.

• FY-2C Nation: China. Mass: 1,380 kg (3,040 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: FY-2. Perigee: 35,786 km (22,236 mi). Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Inclination: 0.70 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 2004-042A. USAF Sat Cat: 28451. 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.References: 4.

• Zhongxing 22A Nation: China. Mass: 2,300 kg (5,000 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: FH-1. Agency: CTBSC. Manufacturer: CAST. Perigee: 35,757 km (22,218 mi). Apogee: 35,817 km (22,255 mi). Inclination: 0.40 deg. Period: 1,000.00 min. COSPAR: 2006-038A. USAF Sat Cat: 29398. Military communications satellite, launched to replace Zhongxing 22 in geosynchronous orbit at 98.0 E. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 98.10E drifting at 0.006W degrees per day.

• FY 2D Nation: China. Payload: Fengyun 2D. Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Perigee: 35,781 km (22,233 mi). Apogee: 35,789 km (22,238 mi). Inclination: 2.60 deg. Period: 1,436.00 min. COSPAR: 2006-053B. USAF Sat Cat: 29641. 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 2A Nation: China. Payload: Beiduou 1D. Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Beidou. Perigee: 35,326 km (21,950 mi). Apogee: 36,248 km (22,523 mi). Inclination: 6.20 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2007-003A. USAF Sat Cat: 30323. Fourth Beidou 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.

• Beidou 5 Nation: China. Payload: Beidou M1. Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Beidou. Agency: CASC. Manufacturer: CAST. Perigee: 21,519 km (13,371 mi). Apogee: 21,544 km (13,386 mi). Inclination: 55.30 deg. Period: 773.40 min. COSPAR: 2007-011A. USAF Sat Cat: 31115. The fifth Beidou satellite, but the first in the 12-hour, 55 deg inclination MEO portion of the constellation. All previous launches had been to populate the geostationary portion of the system.

• Sinosat 3 Nation: China. Mass: 2,200 kg (4,800 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: DFH-3. Agency: SinoSatCom. Manufacturer: CAST. Perigee: 35,779 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,793 km (22,240 mi). Inclination: 0.30 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2007-021A. USAF Sat Cat: 31577. 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 Nation: China. Class: Planetary. Type: Lunar. Spacecraft: Chang'e. Perigee: 147 km (91 mi). Apogee: 50,182 km (31,181 mi). Inclination: 30.80 deg. Period: 929.20 min. COSPAR: 2007-051B. USAF Sat Cat: 32273. 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 in a serious of spacecraft engine burns over the next 24 hours.

• 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.

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• 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...