Long March 3B – Spaceflight Now

China launches mysterious geostationary satellite

October 18, 2019

China successfully launched a satellite toward geostationary orbit Thursday aboard a Long March 3B rocket, but the spacecraft’s purpose remained a mystery.

Two more satellites launched into China’s Beidou navigation fleet

September 23, 2019

China added two more satellites to the country’s Beidou navigation fleet — an analog to the U.S. military’s GPS network — with a successful Long March 3B rocket launch Sunday.

Chinasat 18 communications satellite encounters problem after launch

August 20, 2019

A communications satellite designed to deliver broadband services to rural China, airline passengers and maritime vessels suffered “abnormalities” after separating from its Long March 3B launcher Monday, Chinese state media confirmed Tuesday.

China adds to Beidou fleet with Long March launch

June 24, 2019

Another satellite for China’s Beidou navigation network rocketed into orbit Monday on top of a Long March 3B launcher.

Beidou navigation satellite successfully launched by China

April 22, 2019

Another satellite to join the China’s independent global navigation network successfully launched Saturday from the mountainous Xichang spaceport in the southwest of the country.

China launches tracking and data relay satellite

March 31, 2019

A Chinese Long March 3B rocket delivered a new-generation tracking and data relay satellite to orbit Sunday to provide communications support for the country’s future human spaceflight missions and space station.

Chinese TV broadcasting satellite launched on 300th Long March rocket

March 11, 2019

A Chinese television broadcasting satellite lifted off Saturday aboard a Long March 3B booster, the 300th orbital launch by the country’s Long March rocket family since 1970.

China begins 2019 launch campaign with a success

January 10, 2019

A Chinese communications satellite heading for geostationary orbit more than 22,000 miles over the equator lifted off Thursday from the Xichang space base in southwestern China aboard a Long March 3B rocket on the first space launch of 2019.

China launches historic mission to land on far side of the moon

December 7, 2018

A robotic lander and rover lifted off Friday (U.S. time) from China’s Xichang space center, kicking off a journey that will culminate in an attempt in early January to touch down on the far side of the moon for the first time.

China expands reach of Beidou navigation network with another launch

November 19, 2018

Two more Beidou navigation satellites launched from China on Sunday, ending a record run of 18 satellite deployments this year for the Chinese alternative to GPS and placing the program on the cusp of expanding to full-time coverage over most of Asia, Africa and Europe.