AEROSPACE CHINA

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China Aerospace Academy of Systems Science and Engineering

ISSN 1671-0940

CN 11-4673/V

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AEROSPACE CHINA ›› 2020, Vol. 21 ›› Issue (4): 11-19.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-0940.2020.04.002

• Reviews • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Review and Prospect of LM-3A Series Launch Vehicle As Space Express for BDS

  

  1. Beijing Institute of Astronautical Systems Engineering, Beijing 100076
  • Online:2021-02-07 Published:2021-02-08
  • About author:ZHANG Yipu (1978- ), senior engineer, graduated from the Beijing Institute of Technology with a Master’s degree. Now he is engaged in the research of launch vehicle design.

Abstract: The LM-3A series launch vehicle was used for all launch missions for the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) project, including BDS-1, BDS-2, and BDS-3. So it is known as Space Express for BDS. During the 26 years’ development period for the BDS project, a series of key technological breakthroughs with the LM-3A series of launch vehicles were made, improving the launch capability of different payloads into GTO, IGTO and MTO, from sending one satellites into transfer orbit to sending two satellites into transfer orbit, to sending two satellites into target orbit directly. A total of 59 satellites in 44 launches were launched using the LM-3A series launch vehicle for the BDS project, achieving 100% success.