NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Beidou-1C

Launch Time
Sat May 24, 2003 16:34 UTC

Rocket

Long March 3A
Image Credit: CASC
CASC
Status: Retired
Price: $69.7 million
Liftoff Thrust: 2,962 kN
Payload to LEO: 8,500 kg
Payload to GTO: 2,600 kg
Stages: 3
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 52.52 m
Fairing Diameter: 3.35 m
Fairing Height: 8.89 m

Mission Details

Beidou-1C

The BD 1 (Beidou 1) satellites were the 1st phase of the Chinese Beidou (Compass) satellite navigation system. The first phase uses only geostationary satellites, in contrast to GPS and GLONASS. This reduces the number of satellites but limits the coverage to a less-than-hemispherical area. The basic constellation requires 3 satellites. The satellites are based on the DFH-3 Bus.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 2,200.0 kg
Geostationary Transfer Orbit

Location

LC-2, Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China

Stats

2003

21st orbital launch attempt

Long March 3

25th mission
1st mission of 2003
20th successful mission
11th consecutive successful mission