LM-3B Completes the Launches of All BeiDou IGSO Satellites

The 3rd BeiDou 3 inclined geosynchronous orbit (IGSO)satellite,IGSO-3,was launched into space by a LM-3B launch vehicle at 01:43 Beijing time on November 5,2019.The satellite entered its predetermined orbit later and the solar wing onboard deployed smoothly.The launch achieved complete success.

Now,all BeiDou 3 IGSO satellites have been launched and will provide more accurate navigation services for China and surrounding areas and the north and south polar regions,which is of great significance in further completing the global network of BeiDou 3 and serving the Belt and Road Initiative.

This was the 14th launch of the Bei-Dou global navigation satellite system.IGSO-3 was the 24th BeiDou 3 satellite,also the 49th satellite in the BeiDou navigation satellite system developed by the China Academy of Space Technology.The satellite carries a new type of atomic clock for the first time for in-orbit demonstration.

Based on the DFH-3B platform,IGSO-3 has a design life of 12 years with a liftoff mass of 5400 kg.The coverage and service performance of the BeiDou system will be improved further once the satellite joins the constellation.

The LM-3B was developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.It uses the standard configuration of LM-3A series.Compared with previous LM-3B launch vehicles,this one had two technical upgrades.The first one was adding protective devices and preventive measures to the hardware of the instrumentation system to increase the system’s data acquiring reliability to avoid telemetry data loss.The second one was to strengthen the safety for ground facility use,focusing on optimization of ground facilities,reducing risk during moving and improving operational safety.

It was the 317th mission of the LM series launch vehicle,the 106th launch in the LM-3A family and the 62nd flight of a LM-3B.