Long March Records 15 Launch Successes In 2010

The year of 2010 is a busy year for Long March, full of launch successes. In 2010, Long March launch vehicle completed a record breaking 15 launches from three launch sites in with a 100% success rate, which is a dramatic increase compared with 6 launches in 2009 and 11 launches in 2008. Among the 15 launches, eight missions were conducted by Long March 3A series launch vehicle, while four missions by Long March 4 series and three missions by LM-2D. The intensive launches in 2010 were mostly driven by domestic demand, such as launches of five navigation satellites for the Compass (Beidou) constellation, one Chang’e-2 lunar probe and three remote sensing satellites. 

In terms of launch frequency, Long March also made an outstanding achievement in 2010: four launches in one month with three types of Long March launch vehicle from three satellite launch centers, as detailed in the table below. 

 

The high-intensity launches in 2010 marked the high maturity and reliability of Long March launch vehicles. The improved productivity will also better serve its domestic and international customers.  

In April 2010, China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) hosted its first Long March User’s Conference in history, celebrating the 20^th anniversary of the first Long March international commercial launch in 1990. More than 30 representatives from world renowned satellite operators, manufacturers, underwriters and brokers, together with CGWIC and its domestic partners, reviewed the 20 years’ development of Long March launch services and shared vision on future development. The conference deepens mutual understandings and paves grounds for future cooperation. 

In 2010, China Great Wall Industry Corporation signed a launch services contract with APT Satellite Company Limited for the Thales Alenia Space built APSTAR-7B satellite launch services and two satellite in-orbit delivery contracts with and respectively, with Long March launch vehicle as the designated launcher. 

In 2011, Long March launch vehicle will continue the highly intensive launches. Among the highlights, the launch missions for the Tiangong-1 space lab and Shenzhou 8 spacecraft are under planning, and the Compass (Beidou) constellation launch missions will continue. CGWIC will conduct three commercial launches for international customers in 2011, namely W3C launch for Eutelsat, Paksat 1R launch for Pakistanand NigComsat-1R launch for Nigeria. 

China Great Wall Industry Corporation looks forward to new successes in 2011 with the continuous support from its customers and partners. 

 

 

About CGWIC 

As a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) acts as a platform of CASC for international cooperation. Established in 1980, CGWIC is the sole commercial organization authorized by the Chinese government to provide international commercial launch services, satellite in-orbit delivery and to conduct international space cooperation.