1996-F01
Intelsat 708 was flown to Xichang Space Center to become the first Intelsat for launch on a Chinese rocket. It was the very first flight of the Chang Zheng 3B variant, which combined the CZ-3A core with the CZ-2E strapons. As the CZ-3B cleared the launch tower on 1996 Feb 14, the rocket tilted over and started flying horizontally. One observer described it as a `20-story cruise missile'. It crashed into the ground 25 sec after liftoff, destroying buildings and killing six people with 57 injured, according to the Chinese. Western observers claimed much higher casualty figures. The accident investigation found that the inertial guidance system failed 2 seconds after takeoff.
The 2011 CZ user guide records the satellite mass as 4594 kg, although contemporary accounts said 3750 kg.
| Intelsat 708 | |||
| Date | Time | Event | Orbit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 Feb 14 | 1901 | Launch by CZ-3B | XSC |
| 1901 | Guidance failed, T+2s | ||
| 1901 | CZ-3B off course | ||
| 1901 | CZ-3B impact and explosion | ||
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