Long March 3B | Fengyun-4A
Launch Successful
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Launch Window
Dec. 10, 2016, 4:05 p.m. - Dec. 10, 2016, 4:35 p.m.
Dec. 10, 2016, 4:05 p.m. - Dec. 10, 2016, 4:35 p.m.
Fengyun-4A (also known as FY-4A) is the first unit of the improved meteorological satellites series. Besides its main meteorological mission, it is also capable of solar observations for better space weather monitoring capabilites. The satellite is expected to operate for 5 years.
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.
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.
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