Long March 2C Launch Vehicle (LM-2C)

Launch Services



LM-2C


LM-2C
History

Based on fight proven technology of LM-1 and LM-2, the development of LM- 2C launch vehicle was started in 1970. After its successful test fight in 1975, LM-2 was renamed to LM-2C.

With 14 successes out of 14 launches for LEO missions, this launch vehicle was selected by Motorola, Inc in April of 1993 to provide multiple launches for Iridium communications satellites. According to the Iridium launch mission requirement, some necessary modifications were made. Then this launch vehicle was renamed as LM-2C/SD (or LM-2C/SMA). Twelve (12) Iridium satellites were successfully launched by LM-2C/SD.

With some improvements, LM-2C/SD (or LM-2C/SMA) has been upgraded as LM-2C/SM for joint satellite program (CT-1/2) with ESA.

As of June 1, 2009, the LM-2C series of launch vehicle has conducted thirty -one (31) launches with a 100% successful rate, being awarded as “Gold Medal Launcher” in China.



Technical Data

LM-2C launch vehicle has three (3) confgurations: LM-2C as a basis with two liquid propellant stages, LM-2C/CTS, LM-2C/SMA and LM-2C/SM plus an upper stage (CTS SMA and SM). It is dedicated for launching different spacecraft for LEO, SSO and GTO missions.

LM-2C
Stage 1st Stage 2nd Stage Upper Stage
Stage Diameter (m) 3.35 3.35 2.7
Stage Length (m) 25.720 7.757 1.5
Propellant mass (kg) 162,706 54,667 125/50
Propellant UDMH /N2O4 HTPB/Hydrazine
Engine YF-21C YF-24E
YF-22E (Main)
YF23C (Vernier) 		Solid Motor / RCS (Reaction Control System)
Thrust (KN) 2961.6 741.4 (Main)
11.8x4 (Vernier) 		10.78 (solid motor)
Engine Specific Impulse
(N·Sec / kg) 		2556.5
(on ground) 		2922.37 (Main)
2834.11 (Vernier)
(in vacuum) 		2804
(solid motor)
Lift-off Mass (t) 233
Overall Length (m) 42
Fairing Diameter (m) 3.35
Launch Capability (kg) LM-2C LEO 3850 (200km/63°)
SSO 1400 (600km)
LM-2C/SM GTO 1250 (28°)
LM-2C/SMA SSO 1900 (600km)


1. Fairing
2. Satellites
3. Payload Adapter
4. Vehicle Equipment Bay
5. Second Stage Oxidizer Tank
6. Inter-tank Section
7. Second Stage Fuel Tank
8. Second Stage Vernier Engindes
9. Second Stage main Engines		 10. Inter-stage Structure
11. First Stage Oxidizer Tank
12. Inter-tank Section
13. First Stage Fuel Tank
14. Backward Transition Section
15. Tail Section
16. Stabilizing Fin
17. First Stage Engines


(As of June 1, 2009)
Launch Records
No. Flight No. Launch Date Satellite Orbit Launch Site Result
1 LM-2C    F01 26 Nov. 1975 FHW LEO JSLC Success
2 LM-2C    F02 7 Dec. 1976 FHW LEO JSLC Success
3 LM-2C    F03 26 Jan. 1978 FHW LEO JSLC Success
4 LM-2C    F04 9 Sept. 1982 FHW LEO JSLC Success
5 LM-2C    F05 19 Aug. 1983 FHW LEO JSLC Success
6 LM-2C    F06 12 Sept. 1984 FHW LEO JSLC Success
7 LM-2C    F07 21 Oct. 1985 FHW LEO JSLC Success
8 LM-2C    F08 6 Oct. 1986 FHW LEO JSLC Success
9 LM-2C    F09 5 Aug. 1987 FHW/Piggyback LEO JSLC Success
10 LM-2C    F10 9 Sept. 1987 FHW LEO JSLC Success
11 LM-2C    F11 5 Aug. 1988 FHW/Piggyback LEO JSLC Success
12 LM-2C    F12 5 Oct. 1990 FHW LEO JSLC Success
13 LM-2C    F13 6 Oct. 1992 Freja/FHW-2*** LEO JSLC Success
14 LM-2C    F14 8 Oct. 1993 FHW LEO JSLC Success
15 LM-2C/SD F15 1 Sept. 1997 Motorola****mock up LEO TSLC***** Success
16 LM-2C/SD F16 8 Dec. 1997 Motorola LEO JSLC Success
17 LM-2C/SD F17 26 Mar. 1998 Motorola LEO JSLC Success
18 LM-2C/SD F18 2 May 1998 Motorola LEO JSLC Success
19 LM-2C/SD F19 20 Aug. 1998 Motorola LEO JSLC Success
20 LM-2C/SD F20 19 Dec. 1998 Motorola LEO JSLC Success
21 LM-2C/SD F21 12 June 1999 Motorola LEO JSLC Success
22 LM-2C/SM F22 30 Dec. 2003 TC-1 EEO XSLC Success
23 LM-2C/CTS F23 18 April 2004 Experimental Satellite-1
/ Nano Satellite-1		 SSO XSLC Success
24 LM-2C/SM F24 25 July 2004 TC-2 LEO TSLC Success
25 LM-2C    F25 29 Aug. 2004 FHW LEO JSLC Success
26 LM-2C    F26 18Nov. 2004 Experiment Satellite-2 LEO XSLC Success
27 LM-2C    F27 2 Aug. 2005 FHW LEO JSLC Success
28 LM-2C    F28 9 Sept. 06 Shijian-8 LEO TSLC Success
29 LM-2C    F29 11 April 2007 OceanSat-1B SSO TSLC Success
30 LM-2C/SM  F30 6 Sep. 2008 Huanjing-A&B SSO TSLC Success
31 LM-2C    F31 22 April 2009 Yaogan- 6 SSO TSLC Success