Optus B2

Launch Failure

Liftoff Time (GMT)

11:21:00

Monday December 21, 1992

Mission Details

Launch Notes

Structural failure of payload fairing or satellite 48 seconds after launch destroyed the satellite. The launcher continued its flight to low earth orbit, where it successfully jettisoned the debris. The cause of the failure has never been identified with certainty, but it is very likely to be caused by the fairing of the launcher, not the satellite. As a result, the flight is considered a total failure.

Optus B2

Wiki

Australia's national satellite communications company became the first customer to purchase the Hughes 601 body-stabilized satellite in July 1988, when it ordered two of the high-powered spacecraft to be delivered into orbit for its next-generation system. In January 1992 the Australian company, once known as AUSSAT Pty., Ltd., became part of Optus Communications Pty., Ltd., the country's new, privately owned telecommunications carrier. The spacecraft are called the Optus B series. The B-Class satellites were manufactured by Hughes and launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center by Long March rockets. The two satellites were the first U.S.-built satellites to be approved by the Reagan administration for launch on Chinese rockets. To break into the commercial launch market, the Chinese offered to launch for less than half of what a U.S. launch company would charge.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

1 Payload

2,858 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Long March 2E

Active 1992 to 1995

China Aerospace Corporation logo

Manufacturer

CAC

Rocket

Height: 49.73m

Payload to Orbit

LEO: 9,500 kg

GTO: 3,500 kg

Liftoff Thrust

5,923 Kilonewtons

Fairing

Diameter: 4.2m

Height: 12m

Stages

2

Strap-ons

4

Launch Site

LC-2

Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China

Fastest Turnaround

18 days

Stats

Long March 2E


3rd

Mission

2nd

Mission of 1992

1992


92nd

Orbital launch attempt