Communications
Agila 2, delivered on orbit in 1997, is the most powerful telecommunications satellite in service in the Asia-Pacific region. The new satellite is a prime example of SS/L's dominance in the emerging domestic and international broadcast satellite market.
Orbital Attempt
#4,162
CASC Mission
#16
Pad Launch
#12
Location Launch
#24
Designator
1997-042
Aug 19, 1997, 5:50 PM
1 update
The Long March 3B is a Chinese orbital carrier rocket. Introduced in 1996, it is launched from Launch Area 2 and 3 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan. A three-stage rocket with four strap-on liquid rocket boosters, it is currently the most powerful member of the Long March rocket family and the heaviest of the Long March 3 rocket family, and is mainly used to place communications satellites into geosynchronous orbits.
Length
54.8 m
Diameter
3.35 m
Launch Mass
426 t
Thrust
5,923 kN
LEO Capacity
11,500 kg
GTO Capacity
5,100 kg
GEO Capacity
2,000 kg
Launch Cost
$70M
Reusable
No
Maiden Flight
1996
Fastest Turnaround
25d 23h
Total Launches
24
Successful
21
Failed
3
Consecutive Success
3
Maiden flight: Feb 14, 1996
The Xichang Satellite Launch Center is a spaceport in China. It is located in Zeyuan Town, northwest of Xichang, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan.
Timezone
Asia/Shanghai
Local Launch Time
Aug 20, 1997, 1:50 AM
Total Launches
239
Total Landings
0
Coordinates
28.2460, 102.0266