Ministry of Aerospace IndustryLong March 2ELaunch Complex 2 (LC-2), Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Optus B2
Launched
December 21, 1992
Image: CNSA
Summary
Optus B2 launched on a Ministry of Aerospace Industry Long March 2E from Launch Complex 2 (LC-2), Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China on December 21, 1992. The mission failed: 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. It was Ministry of Aerospace Industry's 13th launch, 4th this year and humanity's 3,780th orbital launch attempt. It was the 3rd Long March 2E flight and the 2nd this year. The payload was bound for Geostationary Orbit (Direct-GEO). 2 objects from this launch are catalogued.
- Result
- 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.
- Watch
- No webcast on record.
- Booster
- No booster details on record.
- Mission
- Communications · Geostationary Orbit (Direct-GEO)
- Milestone
- 3rd Long March 2E flight · 2nd this yearMinistry of Aerospace Industry's 13th launch4th this yearhumanity's 3,780th orbital launch attempt92nd orbital launch attempt this year
Flight preview
Catalogued objects
2 catalogued: 1 rocket stage, 1 component; none still in orbit
CZ-2E Y4 Stage 2 · re-entered June 19, 1993
Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org
About this launch
Australian communications satellite built by Hughes Space and Communications Company in California.
Pad
Launch Complex 2 (LC-2), Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
3rd launch from Launch Complex 2 (LC-2), 2nd this year · 11th from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
126 launches from this pad · 242 from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
129 days after the previous launch from this pad
All launches from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of ChinaOpen in maps
Questions
When did Optus B2 launch?
Optus B2 launched on December 21, 1992. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.
Why did Optus B2 fail?
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.
Where can I watch Optus B2?
No webcast is on record for this launch.
What rocket launched Optus B2?
Long March 2E, flown by Ministry of Aerospace Industry. Long March 2E spec sheet
Where did Optus B2 launch from?
Launch Complex 2 (LC-2), Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China.
What orbit was Optus B2 going to?
Geostationary Orbit (Direct-GEO), a communications mission.