Long March 2 rocket family

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Long March 2F
Stages		2
0 - Boosters	Engines	YF - 20B x 4
Thrust		814 kN X 4 = 3,256 kN
Burn time		128 seconds
Fuels		N2O4 / UDMH
1 - Core Stage	Engines	YF - 20B x 4
Thrust		814 kN X 4 = 3,256 kN
Burn time		166 seconds
Fuels		N2O4 / UDMH
2 - 2nd Stage	Engine	YF - 25/23
Thrust		831 kN
Burn time		295 seconds
Fuels		LH2 / LOX
Launch vehicle		1st Launch November 1999
Payload LEO 42 deg		8,400 kg
Payload GTO		3,370 kg

Long March 2 rocket family is an expendable launch system operated by People's Republic of China.

Development and design falls mostly under the auspices of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. The rockets are, confusingly, abbreviated both LM-2 family and CZ-2 family in English.

Long March 2 is the base model of the Long March 2 rocket family . The development work began in 1970, the first rocket was launched on November 5, 1974, but the launch failed. The production of the rocket ended in 1979.

Long March 2C and Long March 2C were also developed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, the first launches occurred in 1982 and 1990 respectively.

Long March 2D was developed by Shanghai Space Agency, first launch was in 1992.

The development of Long March 2F began in 1992, the first launch was in November 1999 (See also Shenzhou 1). This version is intended mainly for manned space missions and is the safest model in the Long March 2 family.

[edit] Specifications

[edit] Long March 2F

• Stage number: 0 - Strap-on boosters x 4
  • Gross mass: 41,000 kg
  • Empty mass: 3,200 kg
  • Thrust (vac): 4 x 814 kN
  • Isp: 291 seconds (2.9 kN·s/kg)
  • Burn time: 128 seconds
  • Diameter: 2.3 m
  • Span: 8.0 m
  • Length: 15.3 m
  • Propellants: N2O4 / UDMH
  • Engines: 1 x YF - 20B per booster = 4

• Stage number: 1 - Core stage
  • Gross mass: 196,500 kg
  • Empty mass: 9,500 kg
  • Thrust (vac): 3,256 kN
  • Isp: 289 seconds (2.8 kN·s/kg)
  • Burn time: 166 seconds
  • Diameter: 3.4 m
  • Length: 23.7 m
  • Propellants: N2O4 / UDMH
  • Engine: 4 x YF - 20B

• Stage number: 2 - Final stage
  • Gross mass: 91,500 kg
  • Empty mass: 5,500 kg
  • Thrust (vac): 831 kN
  • Isp: 425 seconds (4.2 kN·s/kg)
  • Burn time: 295 seconds
  • Diameter: 3.4 m
  • Length: 15.5 m
  • Propellants: LH2 / LO2
  • Engine: 1 x YF - 25/23

[edit] Specifications for earlier versions of the Long March 2 rocket family

Model	Stages	Length (m)	Max. diameter (m)	Liftoff mass (t)	Liftoff thrust (kN)	Payload (LEO, kg)
Long March 2	2	31.170	3.35	190	2786	1800
Long March 2C	2	35.15	3.35	192	2786	2400
Long March 2E	2 (plus Strap-on boosters)	49.686	11.45	462	5923	9200
Long March 2D	2	33.667 (without shield)	3.35	237	2961	3100

	Long March rocket family
Long March 1 rocket family: Long March 1 - Long March 1D Long March 2 rocket family: Long March 2 - Long March 2C - Long March 2D - Long March 2E - Long March 2F Long March 3 rocket family: Long March 3 - Long March 3A - Long March 3B - Long March 3C Long March 4 rocket family: Fengbao 1 - Long March 4 - Long March 4A - Long March 4B Long March 5 rocket family: CZ-NGLV-Light - CZ-NGLV-Medium - CZ-NGLV-A - CZ-NGLV-B - CZ-NGLV-C - CZ-NGLV-D - CZ-NGLV-E - CZ-NGLV-F