Long March 2F
(Credit: GlobalSecurity.org)
Long March 2F
(Credit: GlobalSecurity.org)
The Chinese began developing plans for manned space missions in 1992. The Long March 2F (Changzheng 2F, or CZ-2F) was a modest improvement of the existing CZ-2E. The CZ-2F first few in November 1999. It is the only vehicle used for manned Chinese space operations. It only launches from the Jiuquan Space Launch Certer in China.
The CZ-2F is a two-stage vehicle with four strap-on boosters. Stage 1 consists of four YF-20B engines producing a total of 665,800 lbs of thrust. Stage 2 has one YF-22B engine and four YF-23B verniers generating 177,200 lbs of thrust. Each of the four strap-on boosters have a single YF-20B engine, each generating 166,450 lbs of thrust. All engines burn UDMH (unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine) and N2O4 nitrogen tetroxide) as fuel.
The CZ-2F stands at 58.34 meters, has a diameter of 3.35 meters, a payload fairing measuring 11.95 by 4.2 meters, a launch weight of 479,700 kilograms, and has a liftoff thrust of 1,331,600 lbs.
Launch of Shenzhou 11
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Last updated: 30 October 2024 18:23:54.
