1, China Satellite Launch and Tracking Control General (CLTC)

2, Launch Sites

3, Tracking and Control System

4, Long March Vehicle

5, Launch activities of China

6, China Aerospace Corporation (CASC)

7, Sino Satellites Communications Company Limited

Return to Home Page

China Satellite Launch and Tracking Control General (CLTC) is specifically established to provide commercial launch and TT&C services. It is subordinated to the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense of PRC.

China has successfully launched and controlled over 40 spacecrafts since 1970. It has also mastered the technologies of spacecraft recovery and geostationary communications satellite control.

CLTC manages one aerospace command and control center, three satellite launch centers, one comprehensive TT&C network and two research institutes.

Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Center (BACC) is the commanding, decision-making and control center of China space flight testing, it is responsible for the organizing, commanding, dispatching of space flight test task, also undertakes the engineering TT&C and management of launch vehicle, spacecraft space flight test task. Through 20 years' construction and development, it has established five big processing, monitoring display, satellite TT&C and office automation. It has formed complete function and flexible command and control system.

Go Top

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) is located at the Gobi desert in the northwestern China. It is the earliest and largest satellite launch center in China. It is mainly used to launch medium and low orbit spacecraft with high inclinations. With its favorable natural environment, complete and reliable processing, launching and up-range instrumentation facilities and systems, more than 20 satellites have been launched from this center.

Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC) is located in the green mountains of Sichuan province, southwest of China, it is mainly used to launch geostationary spacecraft. All the domestic communications and 8 commercial satellites were launched from XSLC. It has two launch pads, one for LM-3 and the other for LM-2E and LM-3A. XSLC is an advanced launch site with well-equipped launch vehicles and spacecraft testing buildings, SPM processing buildings and necessary auxiliary facilities.

Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center (TSLC) is located at the central loess plateau in the northwest of Shanxi province of China. It is the 3^rd satellite launch center in China. This center is mainly used to launch sun-synchronous satellite, such as the resource satellites, meteorological satellites or Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites with high inclinations on LM-4 series launch vehicles.

Go Top

Xi'an Satellite Control Center (XSCC) manages China's spacecraft TT&C network which consists of command and control center, fixed and mobile stations, instrumentation ships and re-entry instrumentation airplanes. XSCC has successfully tracked and controlled all China domestic satellites with its reliability, accuracy and capability.

China Satellite Maritime Tracking and Control Department is subordinate to CLTC. It provides maritime TT&C service for the launching of commercial satellites and space vehicles. Three ten-thousand-ton spacecraft instrumentation ships, which all named "Yuan Yang", are all installed with whole sets for advanced TT&C equipment which reached international top level.

Go Top

The following is the introduction of LM-2C, LM-2C/SD, LM-2D, LM-2E, LM-3, LM-3A, LM-3B and LM-4.

LM-2C with a payload capability of 2800kg for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) mission, It is mainly used for launching of recoverable satellites. It has a track record of 14 consecutive successful launches up to 1993. On 6 Oct. 1992, Freja Satellite of Swedish Space Corporation (Sweden) was successfully launched on LM-2C as a piggyback payload.

Technical Parameters:

LM2C/SD is developed according to the launch mission requirements for the IRIDIUM^® program. It Consists of two stages upgraded on the basis of LM-2C and a smart dispenser (SD) developed with flight proven technologies and hardware. On Sept. 1, 1997, demonstration flight of LM2C/SD launch vehicle was successfully conducted. On Dec. 8, 1997, the LM-2C/SD accurately sent two IRIDIUM^® space vehicles into the predetermined orbits.

Technical Parameters:

LM-2D is a two-stage launch vehicle, developed on the basis of the 1^st and the 2^nd stages of LM-4. The payload capacity for 200km low earth circular orbit is 3500 kg.

Technical Parameters:

LM-2E is the most powerful two-stage launch vehicle for LEO mission in Long March series. There are four boosters strapped on to the first stage of the launch vehicle, each with a height of 15 meters. LM-2E is mainly used to provide low earth orbit (LEO) satellite launch services and has a LEO capability of 9500 kg. With a solid Perigee Kick Motor (EPKM), LM-2E can perform geosationary transfer orbit (GTO) launch missions with launch performance up to 3500kg. LM-2E has launched for the OPTUS, ASIASAT, and ECHOSTAR satellite programs.

Technical Parameters:

LM-3 is a three-stage launch vehicle with a cryogenic third stage. Its GTO launch capacity is 1500kg. It is suitable for the dedicated launch of GE3000 or HS376 class communication satellite. LM-3 has a good flight record. Its 7^th flight accurately sent AsiaSat-1 Communication satellite into GTO, which is the first commercial launch of Long March series of launch vehicle.

Technical Parameters:

LM-3A is designed and developed from advanced LM-3 technology. It introduces powerful cryogenic 3^rd stage engine with a more capable control system, greater flexibility in the attitude control system and improved adaptability. It has a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) capacity of 2700kf and can be used for LEO, SSO and polar orbit satellite missions as well.

Technical Parameters:

LM-3B consists of the core stage, developed on the basis of LM-3A, and the 4 liquid boosters strapped on to the first stage. The core stage of LM-3B is identical to that of LM-3A except that the stage tanks have been stretched and reinforced, the fairing has been enlarged and the control and telemetry system include minor modifications to accommodate the strap-on boosters. It is capable for launch a payload of up to 5000kg in to GTO, as well as performing missions to other orbits. In addition, LM-3B is also capable of accomplishing payload attitude adjustments, re-orientation and spin-up requirements and dual or multiple launch requirements. On Aug. 20 and Oct. 17, 1997, LM-#B made two consecutive successful launches and sent Philippine Mabuhay Agila II and APSTAR-IIR satellites into orbits respectively.

Technical Parameters:

LM-4 is a 3-stage launch vehicle. The 1^st and 2^nd stages are developed on the basis of LM-3. The 3^rd stage is newly developed. The payload capacity for 900 SSO is 1650kg.

Technical Parameters:

Go Top

Go Top

China Aerospace Corporation (CASC) is a science and technology-leading corporation with 270,000 employees, among them over 100,000 are engineers. CASC mainly engages in research, design, test, manufacture and commercialization of various space technological products and civilian applications. As a national level company, it exclusively deals with launch vehicles, satellites and other space products in China.

CASC is leading in launch vehicle technology, cryogenic propellant rocket technology, satellite retrieve and multi-payloads by one launch. It has put satellites into different orbits of LEO, SSO and GO. Hi-tech spin-offs also bring wide application in civilian products.

CASC set up technical and trading corporations worldwide. There are over 100 joint ventures at home and dozens abroad. It plays an important role on the international commercial launch market.

China Space Philatelic Association (LSPS) has issued about 40 covers in recording its space activities.

Go Top

Sino Satellites Communications Company Limited (SINOSATCOM) was sponsored under the joint efforts of CASC, the Commission of Science, Technology and Industrial for National defense force (COSTIND) and the People's Bank of China (PBOC), and later participated by the Shanghai Municipal Government (SMG).

SSINOSATCOM got its capital from CASC, China Yuan Yang Corporation (CYWC), China Financial Computerization Company (CFCC) and Shanghai Alliance Investment Ltd.(SAIL). Proven by State Economic and Trade Commission, it was duly registered with State Administration for Industry and Commerce in May 1994. Its service ranges from development, operation to maintenance of satellite telecommunications system. Both domestic and Asia-Pacific users will be benefited from its service. SINOSAT-1, launched on July 18^th, 1998, features large capacity, high reliability, long lifetime and both C and KU band transponders. For providing wider and better quality services to customers, SINOSATCOM has incorporated SINOSAT-2 satellite into its developing plan.

Go Top

Return to Home Page