Chang Zheng 3B (CZ-3B)
(Long March 3B / LM-3B)

History:

To meet demand of international satellite launch market, especially for high power and heavy communications satellites, the development of LM-3B launch vehicle was started in 1986 on the basis of the fight proven technology of Long March launch vehicles.

Technical Data:

LM-3B is the most powerful launch vehicle in Long March fleet based on LM- 3A as its core stage with four liquid boosters strapped on the frst stage. The development of LM-3B has been made upon good heritage of mature and flight proven technology of Long March family of launch vehicles. Its GTO capacity is 5,100kg.

In recent years, the LM-3B/E (Enhanced Version) launch vehicle is developed on the basis of LM-3B, increasing the GTO capacity up to 5,500kg. LM-3B/E has nearly the same configurations with LM-3B except its enlarged core stage and boosters. On May 14, 2007, the flight of LM-3B/E was performed successfully, accurately sending the NigcomSat-1 into pre-determined orbit.

With the GTO launch capability of 5,500kg, LM-3B/E is dedicated for launching heavy GEO communications satellite.

Stage Booster 1st Stage 2nd Stage 3rd Stage Stage Diameter (m) 2.25 3.35 3.35 3.00 Stage Length (m) 15.326 - 23.272 - 9.943 12.375 Mass of Propellants (t) 37.746x4 171.775 49.605 18.193 41.5x4* 186.6* Propellant N2O4/UDMH LOX/LH2 Engine YF-25 YF-21C YF-24E YF-22E (Main) YF-23C (Vernier) YF-75 Engine Thrust (KN) 740.4x4 2961.6 742 (Main) 11.8x4 (Vernier) 78.5x2 Engine Specific Impulse (N·Sec/kg) 2556.2 2556.2 2922.57 (Main) 2910.5 (Vernier) 4312 Booster 4 Lift-off Mass (t) 426/458.97* Overall Length (m) 54.838/56.326* Fairing Diameter (m) 4.00/4.20 Fairing Length (m) 9.56 GTO Launch Capacity (kg) 5100/5500* Note: *= LM-3B/E launch vehicle.

CZ-3B Structure
1. Payload Faring 2. Payload 3. Payload Adapter 4. Vehicle Equipment Bay 5. LH2 Tank 6. LOX Tank 7. Inter-stage Section 8. Third Stage Engine 9. Oxidizer Tank 10. Inter-tank Section 11. Fuel Tank	12. Second Stage Vernier Engine 13. Second Stage Main Engine 14. Inter-stage Truss 15. Oxidizer Tank 16. Fuel Tank 17. First Stage Engine 18. Strap-on Booster Cone 19. Strap-on Booster Oxidizer Tank 20. Strap-on Booster Fuel Tank 21. Stabilizer 22. Strap-on Booster Engine

CZ-3B rocket

CZ-3B/G3

CZ-3B/E

The Long March 3B/E, also known as 3B/G2, is an enhanced variant of the Long March 3B, featuring an enlarged (taller) first stage and boosters, increasing its GTO payload capacity to 5,500 kg (12,100 lb). Its maiden flight took place on 13 May 2007, when it successfully launched Nigeria's NigComSat-1, the first African geosynchronous communications satellite. In 2013, it successfully launched China's first lunar lander Chang'e 3 and lunar rover Yutu.
Since 2015, the Long March 3B and 3C can optionally accommodate a YZ-1 upper stage, which has been used to carry dual launches or BeiDou navigation satellites into medium Earth orbit (MEO).

Launch List

External links:

• Wikipedia: Rocket Information

Astrophilately covers:

CZ-3B/E launch. Credit: #411