Two BeiDou Satellites Launched Atop LM-3B/Yuanzheng 1

China sent the 50th and 51st satellites under the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System into space atop a LM-3B/Yuanzheng 1 carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center at 08:55 Beijing time on November 23,2019.The two satellites entered their preset orbits successfully.

The LM-3B/Yuanzheng 1 launch vehicle carried out this mission was developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology,a member of LM-3A series launch vehicle.It was composed of basic stages and an upper stage.The basic strap-on 3-stage liquid rocket was upgraded based on the LM-3B carrier rocket adapted to the upper stage,which is an orbital transfer vehicle specially developed for launching the nation’s new generation BeiDou navigation satellites.

The launch was the 319th mission for the Long March series carrier rocket.

A LM-3B/Yuanzheng 1 carrier rocket is putting the 50th and 51st BeiDou satellites into orbitPhoto:NAN Yong