China Launches BeiDou 3 Navigation Satellites into Space

China launched three pairs of Bei-Dou 3 navigation satellites into space using a LM-3B/Yuanzheng 1 carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center at 07:18 Beijing time on January 12, 13:03 Beijing time on February 12 and 01:56 Beijing time on March 30 respectively, sending the satellites into orbit after the separation of the satellites from the rocket upper stage.

This first launch was the first mission of BeiDou satellites in 2018 and the second mission for the global BeiDou system, sending the 3rd and 4th satellites into space which are the 26th and 27th BeiDou satellites.

The second launch was the third mission for the global BeiDou system, sending the 5th and 6th satellites into space which are the 28th and 29th BeiDou satellites.

The third launch was the fourth mission for the global BeiDou system, sending the 7th and 8th satellites into space which are the 30th and 31st BeiDou satellites.

A LM-3B/Yuanzheng 1 carrier rocket launched the first two BeiDou 3 satellites on November 5, 2017. They were the 1st and 2nd satellites of the global Bei-Dou system.

Two BeiDou navigation satellites are putting into space by a LM-3B launch vehicle

The LM-3B carrier rocket was developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT). It is a fourstage rocket with basic stages and an upper stage.

The BeiDou global navigation satellite system will increase in density in 2018. The LM-3A series launch vehicle is planned to be used to conduct 10 Bei-Dou launch missions, sending 18 BeiDou satellites into orbit, 8 out of 10 missions will use the dual launch mode with two satellites in one rocket.

In 2018 the plan is to conduct 14 launch missions using the LM-3B series of launch vehicle, which represent 40%of the planned 35 launches of CASC during 2018.

The LM Series launch missions were the 262nd, 267th and 269th.