CZ-3C Space Launch Vehicle
The CZ-3C will fill the gap between the CZ-3A and CZ-3B by using only two strap-on boosters, giving it a GTO payload capacity of 3.7 metric tons (References 159, 187-188). The LM-3C inaugural flight was to carry up the Argentine satellite Nahuel-1B in 1997. But because of the failure of the first LM-3B in February 1996, the Chinese decided to put additional efforts into the LM-3C. The putting in service of the LM-3C was therefore postponed to a later date, with initial launches being effected by LM-3B's.
LM-3C
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Background Information
- First Launch:
-
- Flight Rate:
- 1 per year?
- Launch Site:
- Xichang Space Launch Center, China
- Capability:
- 3,700 kg to GTO
History
-
Chinese rocket program started in the late 1950s
- Evolved from Chinese surface-to-surface series IRBMs
- LM-3C is the same as LM-2E first stage with strap-ons, LM-3 second stage, and LM-3A LO2/LH2 third stage
Description
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Three-stage vehicle with two strap-on boosters
- Stage 1 consists of four YF-20 motors burning UDMH/N2O4 providing a total thrust of 664,000 lb
- Stage 2 uses one YF-22 engine and four YF-23 verniers burning UDMH/N2O4 generating a total thrust of 172,400 lb
- Stage 3 uses two YF-75 engines burning LO2/LH2 providing a thrust of 35,200 lb
Profile
-
Length:
- 190 ft
- Launch Weight:
- lb
- Diameter:
- 11 ft
- Liftoff Thrust:
- lb
- Payload Fairing: D>39.2 ft x 13.8 ft
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