Long March 3
 Long March 3 | |
| Function | Carrier rocket |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | CALT |
| Country of origin |  People's Republic of China |
| Size | |
| Height | 43.25 metres (141.9 ft)[1] |
| Diameter | 3.35 metres (11.0 ft)[1] |
| Mass | 204,000 kilograms (450,000 lb)[1] |
| Stages | 3 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to LEO |
5,000 kilograms (11,000 lb)[2] |
| Payload to GTO |
1,500 kilograms (3,300 lb)[2] |
| Associated rockets | |
| Family | Long March |
| Derivatives | Long March 3A |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | LC-1, XSLC |
| Total launches | 13 |
| Successes | 10 |
| Failures | 2 |
| Partial failures | 1 |
| First flight | 29 January 1984 |
| Last flight | 25 June 2000 |
The Long March 3 (Chinese: 长征三号火箭), also known as the Changzheng 3, CZ-3 and LM-3, was a Chinese orbital carrier rocket. It was launched from Launch Complex 1 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre. It was a 3-stage rocket, and was mostly used to place DFH-2-class communications satellites into geosynchronous transfer orbits. It was complemented and later replaced by the more powerful Long March 3A, which has an improved third stage.
List of launches
| Flight number | Date (UTC) | Payload | Orbit | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1984, January 29 | Shiyan Weixing 1 (900 kg) | GTO (intended) | Partial Failure |
| 2 | 1984, April 08 | Shiyong Tongbu Tongxin Weixing X (915 kg) | GTO | Success |
| 3 | 1986, February 01 | Shoyong Tongbu Tongxin Weixing 1 (Chinasat 1) (915 kg) | GTO | Success |
| 4 | 1988, March 07 | Shoyong Tongbu Tongxin Weixing 2 (Chinasat 2) (1024 kg) | GTO | Success |
| 5 | 1988, December 22 | Shoyong Tongbu Tongxin Weixing 3 (Chinasat 3) (1024 kg) | GTO | Success |
| 6 | 1990, February 04 | Shoyong Tongbu Tongxin Weixing 4 (Chinasat 4) (1024 kg) | GTO | Success |
| 7 | 1990, April 07 | Asiasat 1 (Westar 6) (1442 kg) | GTO | Success |
| 8 | 1991, December 28 | Shoyong Tongbu Tongxin Weixing 5 (Chinasat 5) (1025 kg) | GTO (intended) | Failure |
| 9 | 1994, July 21 | Apstar 1 (1383 kg) | GTO | Success |
| 10 | 1996, July 03 | Apstar 1A (1400 kg) | GTO | Success |
| 11 | 1996, August 18 | Zhongxing 7 (Chinasat 7 (1350 kg) | GTO (intended) | Failure |
| 12 | 1997, June 10 | Feng Yun 2A (1380 kg) | GTO | Success |
| 13 | 2000, June 25 | Feng Yun 2B (1400 kg) | GTO | Success |
Launch failures
Shiyang Weixing 1 launch failure
On January 29, 1984, a LM-3 rocket failed during launch. Third stage failed 4 s after restart for GTO insertion of the satellite, because of incorrect mixture ratio in the engine gas generator, which caused high temperatures and burned out the turbine shell. However, many planned tests on on the experimental communications spacecraft were still carried out in the resulting elliptical orbit.
Chinasat 5 launch failure
On December 28, 1991, a LM-3 rocket failed during launch. The third-stage engine suffered a loss of turbine speed and combustion pressure 58 s after reigniting for the second burn for GTO insertion and shut down completely 135 s after reignition. Loss of pressure in the high-pressure helium supply used for engine control had reduced the propellant flow.
Chinasat 7 launch failure
On August 18, 1996 a LM-3 rocket failed during launch. The third-stage engine shut down roughly 40 s earlier than planned because of a fire in the LH2 injector of the gas generator. Insufficient purging had permitted oxygen to freeze in the gas generator during flight.
References
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