the failed launch sequence

intelsat 708 launched aboard the Long March 3B Y1 (Yao 1) rocket at 3:01:07 AM on the 15th of February 1996. The rocket veered off-course 2 seconds into liftoff.

but, how exactly did the launch go? i will try to summarise the details of the launch here.

pre-launch

the launch was initially set for 2:51, however it was later changed to 3:01 due to it being considered a "luckier number" by the Chinese side of the mission. a few minutes before 2:51, the initial launch time, the gantry arms (also called the umbillical arms) were opened, letting free of the rocket. this is usually done minutes before the launch, however due to the time of the launch being delayed the gantry arms opened way before that. countdown began some minutes later after the gantry arms moved. at 3:00 AM the countdown hit 0. the rockets engines ignited at 3:01 AM.