Share
Copied
China's only manned launch vehicle presently is the Long March-2F carrier rocket, known as Shenjian or "Divine Arrow," which has covered all manned missions over the past three decades.
On Tuesday, a Long March-2F rocket code-named Y16 sent the Shenzhou-16 crew to the low Earth orbit for boarding the China Space Station. The rocket had more than 20 technical improvements for the mission.
The Long March-2F Y16 transported out of the assembly building to the launch pad, May 22, 2023. /China Media Group
"For example, for rocket flights, the separation at all stages is critical. So, we carried out an improved design over the redundancy of the solid rocket ignition link," said Chang Wuquan, chief designer of the rocket type at China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.
"This is to further improve the reliability of the separation of boosters, as well as the ship and the rocket," he said.
The Long March-2F Y16 transported out of the assembly building to the launch pad, May 22, 2023. /China Media Group
As usual, the Y16 has a backup code-named Y17, which is already in position at the launch site.
"The Y17 has completed emergency rescue state setting. After the launch of the Y16, it will carry out emergency rescue duty for up to six months and complete the normal launch mission in the second half of the year as per the plan," said Chang.
The Long March-2F made its debut in 1999 and sent China's first taikonaut into space in 2003.
The honored rocket continues its operations for the China Space Station during the station's application and development stage.
A model of China's next generation of manned launch vehicle, the Long March-10, displayed in Beijing. /China Media Group
China's next generation of manned launch vehicles is also taking shape.
"After the first stage of the station, we'll develop and launch the new generation of manned rockets. Both the Long March-2F and its successor will make a smooth transition," Chang said.
Search Trends
SITEMAP
Copyright © 2023 CGTN. 京ICP备16065310号
Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466
SITEMAP
Copyright © 2023 CGTN. 京ICP备16065310号
Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466