CNSPACE(@CNSpaceflight):A vintage photo of Long March 3 before the AsiaSat 1 mission on April 7, 1990—China’s maiden international commercial orbital launch. AsiaSat 1 was originally Westar 6, which was stranded in a useless orbit. It was retrieved by Space Shuttle mission STS-51-A in November 1984, brought back to Earth in Discovery’s cargo bay, refurbished by Hughes, and then sent back into GTO atop this Chinese booster.

2026.09.22 04:29

A vintage photo of Long March 3 before the AsiaSat 1 mission on April 7, 1990—China’s maiden international commercial orbital launch. AsiaSat 1 was originally Westar 6, which was stranded in a useless orbit. It was retrieved by Space Shuttle mission STS-51-A in November 1984, brought back to Earth in Discovery’s cargo bay, refurbished by Hughes, and then sent back into GTO atop this Chinese booster.