At 11:00 am Beijing Time (GMT+8) on June 15, 2017, Long March 4B (LM-4B) Launch Vehicle successfully launched the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope with three piggyback satellites, NewSat-3 and OVS-1A & OVS-1B, from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC).

The Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope is the first Chinese X-ray space astronomy satellite, and will be used to support high energy study including black-hole study. It is designed and manufactured by China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) for Chinese Academy of Sciences.

NewSat-3 is the third satellite in the low-cost remote sensing satellites constellation which is under construction by Satellogic. The first two satellites in the constellation, NewSat-1&2 were successfully launched by LM-4B on May 30, 2016. This is the third piggyback launch services provided by CGWIC to Satellogic. In the third quarter of 2017, another two NewSat satellites will be launched by Long March launch vehicle.

The OVS-1A/1B piggyback launch services contract was signed between Orbita and CGWIC. OVS-1A & OVS-1B are the first two microsatellites of “ZHUHAI 1” remote sensing satellite constellation operated by Orbita based in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, as part of the Satellite Space Information Platform program of Orbita.

The LM-4B Launch Vehicle is designed & manufactured by Shanghai Academy of Space Technology (SAST). Both SAST and CAST are the subsidiaries of China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation (CASC).

This launch mission is the 29th flight of LM-4B launch vehicle. It marks the 248th flight of the Long March family as well as its 13th piggyback launch for international customers. It is also CGWIC's first time to provide piggyback launch services for both international and domestic customers on the same flight.

Date:2017-06-15