THE LONG MARCH 3B booster (LM3B) which exploded and crashed 1.5km downrange from the Xichang launch centre, China, T+25s after launch on 14 February, killed four people and injured 52, China Great Wall Industry (CGWIC) has confirmed (Flight International, 21-27 February). The failure resulted in the loss of the Intelsat 708.
Six people were killed on the ground by the crash of a Long March 2E in January 1995. China, which has lost three commercial satellites in nine launches since 1990, has suspended the next planned commercial launch of the ApStar 1A on a Long March 3 until an investigation is completed. The launch had been due in March.
The LM3B suffered a catastrophic loss of control almost immediately after lift-off. The space-insurance community will not tolerate an inconclusive explanation from CGWIC, similar to those, which followed two LM2E failures in 1992 and 1995.
The loss of the Optus B2 in December 1992, was blamed on neither the vehicle or the satellite, while unique turbulence was blamed for the loss of the ApStar 2, in January 1995.
Commercial defections from the Long March booster are expected. Ten satellites are scheduled for the LM3B and other LM model launches in 1996/7.
Source: Flight International
