Long March 3B « AmericaSpace

Pentagon Warns Of China Failure Risks, As Chinese Woman Astro Set For Launch

By Craig Covault, on June 4th, 2012

Quality control technician checks Long March 2F set to launch the Shenzhou 9 astronauts in mid June at the Jiuquan launch site.

China’s aggressive satellite production and launch pace is threatening launch vehicle failures and the malfunction in orbit of important spacecraft, according to a largely classified Defense Dept. report to Congress.

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PRC Heavy Rocket Lofts Twin Navsats, As China Airs Beidou Shortcomings

By Craig Covault, on April 30th, 2012

Liftoff of the Long March 3B, like a similar launcher shown here, occurred at 4:50 a.m. Beijing Time April 30, carrying the 12th and 13th satellites for the Beidou global navigation system. Photo Credit: Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

In an unusual move China has launched two Beidou navigation satellites on the same Long […]