flown missionFailure

Long March 2E | Optus B2

Ministry of Aerospace IndustryLaunch Complex 2 (LC-2) — Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Either the launch vehicle did not reach orbit, or the payload(s) failed to separate.

mission

Name
Optus B2
Type
Communications
Target orbit
Geostationary Orbit (Direct-GEO)

Australian communications satellite built by Hughes Space and Communications Company in California.

schedule

NET (no earlier than)
Window opens
Window closes
Last updated
Fail reason
Structural failure of payload fairing or satellite 48 seconds after launch destroyed the satellite. The launcher continued its flight to low earth orbit, where it successfully jettisoned the debris. The cause of the failure has never been identified with certainty.

vehicle & provider

Rocket
Long March 2E
Family
Long March
Variant
E
Provider
Ministry of Aerospace Industry
Type
Government
Country
CHN

launch site

Pad
Launch Complex 2 (LC-2)
Location
Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Country
CHN
Timezone
Asia/Shanghai