APStar-9

First two Beidou-3 third-generation medium-Earth-orbit navigation satellites (M1S/M2S), deployed via the new YZ-1 upper stage from Xichang as China began building its next-generation Beidou constellation.

Outcome

Success

Payload to orbit

5 T (est.)

Flight

16th

of 78 Long March 3B/E flights

Date and time

16 October 2015, 16:16 UTC

Rocket

Long March 3B/E

Builder

CASC

Launch site

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

Payload

Unknown

International designator

2015-059

Launches in 2015

62nd of 87

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