Success
Iridium 42 & 44
Communications
China Aerospace Corporation(CASC)Government
Long March 2C/SD
LEOorbit
Iridium provides global mobile telecommunications services using a constellation of 66 low earth orbit satellites in a 86.4° inclined orbit. Although 77 satellites were originally envisioned for the system and spawned the name based on the 77th element in the periodic table, the system has been scaled back. Motorola's Satellite Communications Group designed and manufactured the Iridium satellites with Lockheed Martin providing the LM-700A spacecraft buses.
Monday, December 8, 1997 at 7:16 AM
Mission details
Orbital Attempt
#4,198
CASC Mission
#19
Pad Launch
#4
Location Launch
#4
Designator
1997-077
Launch Window
NET
Dec 8, 1997, 7:16 AM
Schedule Changes
1 update
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
The Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center is a People's Republic of China space and defense launch facility. It is situated in Kelan County, Xinzhou, Shanxi Province and is the second of four launch sites having been founded in March 1966 and coming into full operation in 1968.
Timezone
Asia/Shanghai
Local Launch Time
Dec 8, 1997, 3:16 PM
Total Launches
155
Total Landings
0
Coordinates
38.8491, 111.6080
Long March 2C/SD Specs
The Long March 2C is a family of expendable launch vehicles made and operated by China. It is a two stage launch vehicle with storable propellants, consisting of Nitrogen Tetroxide and Unsymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine. The 2C/SD variant has an additional "Smart Dispenser" upper stage for multiple payloads.
Length
42 m
Diameter
3.35 m
Launch Mass
192 t
Thrust
2,786 kN
LEO Capacity
3,850 kg
Reusable
No
Maiden Flight
1997
Fastest Turnaround
1mo 7d
Total Launches
7
Successful
7
Failed
0
Consecutive Success
7
Maiden flight: Sep 1, 1997