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Launch SuccessfulChina Aerospace Corporation

Long March 2C/SD: Iridium 88 & 89

Iridium provides global mobile telecommunications services using a constellation of 66 low earth orbit satellites in a 86.4° inclined orbit. Although 77 satellites were originally envisioned for the system and spawned the name based on the 77th element in the periodic table, the system has been scaled back. Motorola's Satellite Communications Group designed and manufactured the Iridium satellites with Lockheed Martin providing the LM-700A spacecraft buses.

Saturday, 19 December 1998
Long March 2C/SD: Iridium 88 & 89

Mission Data

Launch VehicleLong March 2C/SD
Vehicle FamilyLong March
Vehicle Record7 of 7 launches (100%)
Launch Provider🇨🇳 China Aerospace Corporation
Provider TypeGovernment
Agency Record24 successes / 3 failures (89%)
Success Streak15 consecutive
ProgramIridium Constellation · Communication Constellation
Mission TypeCommunications
Target OrbitLow Earth Orbit
Launch PadLaunch Complex 7
Location🇨🇳 Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China CHN
Orbital Launches This Year#79
Agency Launches This Year#6
Launches From This Pad32
Launches From This Site163
Status Note

The launch vehicle successfully inserted its payload(s) into the target orbit(s).

About Long March 2C/SD

The Long March 2C is a family of expendable launch vehicles made and operated by China. It is a two stage launch vehicle with storable propellants, consisting of Nitrogen Tetroxide and Unsymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine. The 2C/SD variant has an additional "Smart Dispenser" upper stage for multiple payloads.

Launch Site

Launch Complex 7 · 38.8489°N 111.6079°E

Launch data from Launch Library 2 by The Space Devs.