17 May 2023, 02:49 UTC

Beidou-3 G4

Long March 3BXichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Drawing of the Long March 3B for Beidou-3 G4

Launched a BeiDou-3 navigation satellite, the 56th BeiDou spacecraft, toward geostationary orbit from Xichang; it served as the first in-orbit backup for China's BDS-3 global navigation system.

Outcome: Success
Orbit: GTO; Geostationary transfer orbit
Payload to orbit: 3.1 T (est.)
Flight: 24th; of 24 Long March 3B flights

Date and time: 17 May 2023, 02:49 UTC
Rocket: Long March 3B
Builder: CASC
Launch site: Launch Complex 2 (LC-2), Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Payload: Navigation
International designator: 2023-066
Launches in 2023: 72nd of 223

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