On the 23rd, the Long March 3B carrier rocket successfully launched the 50th and 51st Beidou navigation satellites. This launch is the 107th launch of the Long March 3A series carrier rocket, and also the 11th launch of the series carrier rocket this year. Over the course of 12 years, the Chang-3A series rockets have successfully launched 51 Beidou navigation satellites into their designated orbits with 37 successful launches.'Model Worker' takes 18 days to receive two shots in the third tier

    After the launch of the Beidou-3 navigation satellite on November 5th, on the morning of November 23rd, the Long March 3B rocket once again sent two Beidou-3 navigation satellites into the predetermined orbit, completing the "one month double launch" with a high frequency of two launches in 18 days. Prior to this, the Long March III series rockets had already accomplished such a "feat" twice.The Long March III series rockets have become the "exclusive train" for launching Beidou navigation satellites due to their high orbit accuracy, multiple orbit choices, and strong adaptability. Jin Zhiqiang, the commander-in-chief of the Long March 3A series of rockets, introduced that the Long March 3A rocket has high orbital accuracy and can be launched with either a single rocket or multiple satellites; It can be used for standard geosynchronous transfer orbit launch, as well as super synchronous transfer orbit or low inclination synchronous transfer orbit launch. The rocket can achieve lateral maneuvering and orbit change, multiple spin ups, racemization, orientation, etc. during flight, meeting different orbit entry requirements of satellites.As a major "model worker" in the Long March rocket family, the Long March 3 series rockets are currently the only series of rockets in China to enter the "Hundred Launch Club", maintaining multiple records: in 2015, the Long March 3 series rockets set a high-density launch record of 7 launches in 109 days; In 2018, the Chang-3 series rockets successfully completed 14 launch missions, setting a record for the annual number of launches; In April 2019, the Long March 3B Y-59 rocket launched the Beidou navigation satellite into its designated orbit, making the Long March 3A series rocket the first single series rocket to have been launched over a hundred times.The construction of Beidou-3 system is accelerating againSatellite navigation system is an important infrastructure for a country. In the late 20th century, China began to explore a development path for satellite navigation systems that was suitable for its national conditions, and embarked on a path of "independence, autonomy, compatibility, and openness".

    At present, the construction of the Beidou-3 satellite system has entered the final sprint stage, and by June next year, all 30 satellites in the three major orbits of the Beidou-3 satellite system are expected to be networked. It is expected to be achieved six months ahead of schedule compared to the originally planned end of 2020. At that time, Beidou will become a satellite navigation system with global coverage and advanced performance.In the future, no matter where people go in the world, they can rely on China's satellite navigation services to find their direction.The Beidou-3 navigation satellite system consists of three different orbits: MEO satellite (medium Earth orbit satellite), GEO satellite (geostationary orbit satellite), and IGSO satellite (inclined geosynchronous orbit satellite).This three different orbit hybrid constellation layout design, created by China, is unique to the Beidou system and an international first. It can cover the whole world while providing higher precision positioning and navigation services.Beidou-3 has achieved a 100% localization rate, truly realizing independent and controllable capabilities.Why does Beidou have a special fondness for XichangAt present, Beidou is the only satellite constellation in the world consisting of three different orbits, all of which belong to the mid to high orbit in space. The geographical location of the launch site is crucial for sending the Beidou satellite into medium to high orbit.The Xichang Satellite Launch Center is located in the hinterland of the Daliangshan Gorge in Sichuan Province. Due to its low latitude, it is conducive to utilizing the carrying capacity of carrier rockets. At the same time, the temperature range throughout the year is relatively good, and it can be launched all year round, which is very advantageous for the launch of the "Beidou" network.

    Usually, medium to high orbit satellites are launched by the Long March 3A series rockets, while the Long March 3A series rockets are only launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

    How to distinguish the three brothers of the third generationThe Long March 3A series carrier rockets have three configurations: Long March 3A, Long March 3B, and Long March 3C.This series of rockets is not only the main rocket with the highest launch density in China at present, but also the world's leading "gold medal" rocket with the same type of success rate. Some people say that the Long March 3A series carrier rocket is a "special train" for China's major scientific and technological missions. The most obvious difference in the appearance of the Long March III series three rockets is the boosters around the rocket. The Long Triple-A is the thinnest, while the Long Triple-B has four boosters tied around it, and the Long Triple-C only has two boosters. The most direct impact of boosters is the carrying capacity of rockets.This launch mission requires sending two Beidou navigation satellites into space at once. The Long March 3B rocket has the strongest carrying capacity in the family and is suitable for launching two satellites with one rocket.Source: China National Radio Network


How to distinguish between the Long March 3A series carrier rockets, which have three configurations: Long March 3A, Long March 3B, and Long March 3C.

    This series of rockets is not only the main rocket with the highest launch density in China at present, but also the world's leading "gold medal" rocket with the same type of success rate. Some people say that the Long March 3A series carrier rocket is a "special train" for China's major scientific and technological missions. The most obvious difference in the appearance of the Long March III series three rockets is the boosters around the rocket. The Long Triple-A is the thinnest, while the Long Triple-B has four boosters tied around it, and the Long Triple-C only has two boosters. The most direct impact of boosters is the carrying capacity of rockets.

    This launch mission requires sending two Beidou navigation satellites into space at once. The Long March 3B rocket has the strongest carrying capacity in the family and is suitable for launching two satellites with one rocket.