I note that all the launch announcements seem to refer to 'Changzheng san hao yi' (CZ-3B) rather than CZ-3BE - is there any evidence now that it's a 3BE?
Interesting. 9ifly Chinese space forum lists a CZ-3B instead of a CZ-3B/E. But all but one previous launches of a DFH-4 have been launched by a CZ-3B/E.
I note that all the launch announcements seem to refer to 'Changzheng san hao yi' (CZ-3B) rather than CZ-3BE - is there any evidence now that it's a 3BE?
The image of the launch vehicle looks like a CZ-3B, not like a CZ-3B/E
Debris of the first stage were recovered in particular near Tuanfeng village(N265340.50E1102412.34) in Hunan province.
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I'm using the same comparison method that was used by Lissov on other thread and by the 9ifly members.
Looking at pictures of the CZ-3B used to orbit the ZX-9 satellite, of the CZ-3B/E used to orbit the PakSat-1R and the launch vehicle used for the launch of ZX-1A, this one looks like a CZ-3B/E.
Also, I think that China is now always using the CZ-3B/E instead of the CZ-3B.
I'm using the same comparison method that was used by Lissov on other thread and by the 9ifly members.
Looking at pictures of the CZ-3B used to orbit the ZX-9 satellite, of the CZ-3B/E used to orbit the PakSat-1R and the launch vehicle used for the launch of ZX-1A, this one looks like a CZ-3B/E.
At least the first (NIGCOMSAT 1) and second (Venesat) CZ-3B/E had larger and different shaped fins.
A booster was recovered near Sanxikou hamlet (N271708.67E1081530.99), Guizhou province, within the "assumed" notified drop zone. AFAIU, it caused some damage to housings.
Another booster fell to the South over Baiduo township, no personnel injuries were reported.
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Half of the fairing was recovered near Mingkeng village (N260334.20E1140654.66), Jiangxi province, within the preset drop zone.
No casualties reported.
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According to a launch commemoration envelope (see below), the launch mass of Chinasat-1A was 5320kg and the design lifetime is over 11 years.
Interesting to note the military aircraft and ships below the satellite in the image on the left.
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CZ-3B serial number is Y16.
CZ-3B serial number is Y16.
Thanks Rui for having noticed the serial number on the commemoration envelope below (the first line in Chinese translates as "CZ-3B Y16 carrier rocket")
The second half of the fairing was recovered near Qiuli village (N260750E1140136), Hunan province, within the preset drop zone, some 11 km from the first half.
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According to USSTRATCOM, the 3rd stage reentered February 7, 2012 at 0350UTC +/- 1 minute over 5.6°N 54.8°W (Surinam coast line) ascending , inclined 26°.