spacetoday.net: Chinese launch of remote sensing satellite fails

Posted: Tue, Dec 10, 2013, 6:46 AM ET (1146 GMT)
CBERS-3 satellite illustration (INPE)

A Long March rocket failed to put a Sino-Brazilian remote sensing satellite into orbit on Monday after an apparent failure of the rocket's upper stage. The Long March 4B rocket lifted off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center at 10:26 pm EST Sunday (0326 GMT, 11:26 am Beijing time Monday) carrying the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite 3 (CBERS-3) satellite. Although initial reports claimed the launch was a success, Chinese officials later announced the satellite failed to enter orbit because of an unspecified issue with the launch vehicle. Analysts speculate that a problem with the rocket's upper stage caused it to shut down prematurely, keeping the satellite from achieving orbital velocity. Brazilian officials said they immediately entered discussions with their Chinese counterparts on building a replacement satellite. The spacecraft, a joint venture of Brazil and China, was the fourth in a series of civil remote sensing satellites.