Launches / Long March 3B/E

Past launch Launched successfully

Fengyun-4C

Long March 3B/E, flown by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

Long March 3B/E lifting off with the Fengyun-4C mission
Image via The Space Devs.

This was China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation's 67th launch of 2025, and its 568th in all.

Counting every operator, it was the 321st orbital launch attempt anywhere in 2025, and the ninth from Launch Complex 2 (LC-2).

Launched
Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, 4:07 p.m. UTC
Window
Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, 4:00 to 4:56 p.m. UTC
Launch site
Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China
Rocket
Long March 3B/E
Operator
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

Watch the webcast →

The mission

China's geostationary meteorological satellite program FY-4 (Feng Yun 4) is the second generation of chinese geostationary meteorological satellites.

Type
Earth science
Destination
Geostationary transfer orbit

The rocket

The Long March 3B / E (G2) (CZ-3B / E) is one of the most successful medium-range launchers and the strongest variant of the CZ-3 series. It was specially developed for the transport of heavy communications satellites into a geostationary transfer orbit. The additional designation "E" stands for a higher payload fairing, stretched boosters and extended fuel tanks at the first stage, over the CZ-3B.

Height
56.3 m
Built by
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
First flew
May 13, 2007
Lifts to low Earth orbit
12,000 kg
View 5 specifications Show less
Lifts to geostationary transfer
5,500 kg
Diameter
3.4 m
Mass at liftoff
456 t
Thrust at liftoff
5,924 kN
Stages
3

78 flights, 76 of them successful.

Wikipedia →

The operator

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.

Sector
Government
Based in
China
Founded
1999
Run by
Lei Fanpei, Chairman & President

612 launches so far, 596 of them successful. The last 3 in a row went to plan.

english.spacechina.com → Wikipedia →

The launch site

It went up from Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) at Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China.

See the pad on a map →

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