Iridium 88 & 89

Overview

Destination: Low Earth Orbit
Mission: Communications

Low Earth Orbit Launch Complex 7 Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

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.

Long March 2C/SD

Family: Long March 2
Configuration: C/SD

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.

Specifications
  • Stages
    3
  • Length
    42.0 m
  • Diameter
    3.35 m
  • Fairing Diameter
    3.35 m
  • Launch Mass
    192 T
  • Thrust
    2786 kN
Family
  • Name
    Long March 2C/SD
  • Family
    Long March 2
  • Variant
    C/SD
  • Alias
  • Full Name
    Long March 2C/SD
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
  • Low Earth Orbit
    3850 kg
  • Geostationary Transfer Orbit
  • Direct Geostationary
  • Sun-Synchronous Capacity

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

Circle Image
Chairman & President: Lei Fanpei Founded: 1999 Successes: 423 Failures: 13 Pending: 6

Agency Type: Government

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.

INFO WIKI

Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Launch Complex 7


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