On March 23, 2001, in the Great Hall of the People, CGWIC and Astrium signed a launch services contract, as part of which a LM-3B launch vehicle will be used to launch the Astrium-manufactured Intelsat APR-3/Sinosat-1B satellite into orbit. According to the contract, the satellite will be launched in spring 2002 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre. A contract for the use of the satellite was signed at the same time between Intelsat, European satellite manufacturer Astrium and Sino Satellite Communications Co. Ltd. The ceremony was attended by Song Jian, vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee.
The Astrium-made Intelsat APR-3, which will be placed into geostationary orbit, will be fitted with 30 KU-waveband transponders, weight 3284kg, and has an expected life span of 12 years. The satellite will be placed in fixed orbit over the equator at a longitude of 85°E, and will provide TV broadcast, communications, data transmission and internet services coverage to China, Russia, India and the Middle East.
The Long March LM-3B rocket is China’s most powerful commercial launch vehicle, and has been developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation’s China Academy of Launch Technology. The LM-3B has been used in 5 previous launches, of which 4 were successful. Intelsat is the world’s largest satellite organisation, and provides global satellite communications coverage services to telecommunications and broadcasting organisations in more than 200 countries and regions around the world. Over the past four years, the Chinese aerospace industry has achieved 23 consecutive successful launches, encouraging Intelsat to reconsider the use of Long March launch vehicles, following the loss of their Intelsat 708 satellite during the failed inaugural launch of an LM-3B on February 15, 1996. China’s aerospace industry is winning the widespread trust of the international space industry – including that of Intelsat.
China has been an active player in the international commercial launch services market for over a decade, and has performed 22 commercial satellite launches, successfully placing 27 foreign satellites in orbit, including 5 piggy-backed payloads; Launch services have already been provided to 11 countries and regions, launching satellites from 6 different manufacturers, developing a range of solid international business relationships in an atmosphere of fair competition and mutual trust. Since October 1996, the Long March family of launch vehicles has achieved 23 consecutive successful launches: this high level of reliability combined with the excellent service levels provided by Chinese commercial launch services have allowed the Chinese aerospace industry to expand its international cooperation initiatives on a continuous basis and achieve a powerful competitive position on the international market.