SPACE LAUNCH REPORT China Launch Vehicle Flight History by Variant/Year (1957-Present) by: Ed Kyle, Last Update May 07, 2024 Page 3 of 7: CZ-5, 6, 7, 8 L(F) = Number of Launches(Number of Failures) CZ-5 CZ-5B CZ-6 CZ-7 CZ-7A CZ-8 CZ-6A CZ-6C Year L(F) L(F) L(F) L(F) L(F) L(F) L(F) L(F) ------------------------------------------------------------------ 2010 - - - - - - - - 2011 - - - - - - - - 2012 - - - - - - - - 2013 - - - - - - - - 2014 - - - - - - - - 2015 - - 1(0) - - - - - 2016 1(0) - - 1(0) - - - - 2017 1(1) - 1(0) 1(0) - - - - 2018 - - - - - - - - 2019 1(0) - 1(0) - - - - - 2020 2(0) 1(0) 1(0) - 1(1) 1(0) - - 2021 - 1(0) 4(0) 2(0) 2(0) - - - 2022 - 2(0) 2(0) 2(0) 1(0) 1(0) 2(0) - 2023 1(0) - 1(0) 1(0) 2(0) - 2(0) - 2024 2(0) - - 1(0) - 1(0) 1(0) 1(0) ------------------------------------------------------------------ CZ-5 CZ-5B CZ-6 CZ-7 CZ-7A CZ-8 CZ-6A CZ-6C L(F) L(F) L(F) L(F) L(F) L(F) L(F) L(F) ------------------------------------------------------------------ Suborb - - - - - - - - Orbit 8(1) 4(0) 11(0) 7(0) 6(1) 3(0) 5(0) 1(0) Totals 8(1) 4(0) 11(0) 7(0) 6(1) 3(0) 5(0) 1(0) ------------------------------------------------------------------ Footnotes: "CZ" = Chang Zheng (Long March) (CZ-2, 3, and 4 based on DF-5 missile, CZ-1 based on DF-3 missile, CZ-5,6,7,8 new space launchers using new engines.) CZ-5 to CZ-8 Vehicle Configurations ------------------------------------------------------------------ LEO GTO Height GLOW (tonnes) (tonnes) (meters) (tonnes) [1] LEO x 42 deg [2] 700 km x 97 deg ================================================================== CZ-5 (2.5 stg) 14 t 56.97 m 870 t CZ-5B (1.5 stg) 25 t [1] 53.7 m 840 t CZ-6 1.5 t [1] 25.237 m 103.217 t 1.08 t [2] CZ-6A (2.5 stg) 4.5 t [2] 50 m 530 t CZ-6C (2-stg) 4.5 t [1] 43 m 217 t 2.0 t [2] CZ-7 (1.5 stg) 13.5 t [1] 55 m 594 t 5.5 t [2] CZ-7A (2.5 stg) 6 t 55 m 594 t CZ-8 (2.5 stg) 7.6 t [1] 2.5 t 50.3 m 356 t 4.5 t [2] ================================================================== CZ-5 - 5m core + 4x3.35m strap-ons + "HO" 2nd stage CZ-5B - 5m core + 4x3.35m strap-ons CZ-6 - 3.35m CZ-6 stg + 2.25m 2nd stg + H2O2/kerosene 3rd stg [orig 2.25 m stg 1 plan dropped, would have stood 38 m with a GLOW of 86 t] CZ-6A - 4x2m solids Stg 0 + 3.35m Stg 1 (2xYF100) + 3.35m Stg 2 (1xYF-115) CZ-6C - 3.35 m CZ-6C 1st stg (2xYF100K) + 2.9 m CZ-6C 2nd stage (1xYF115, restartable) CZ-7 - 3.35m core + 4x2.25m strap-ons + 3.35m "KO" 2nd stg CZ-7A - CZ-7 + "H18" 3rd stg CZ-8 - 3.35m core + 2x2.25m strap-ons + 3m "H18" 2nd stg (CZ-8XYZ, where X = No. Stages, Y = No. Boosters, Z = "S" if Boosters are solid) ================================================================== CZ-5 to CZ-8 Vehicle Components ------------------------------------------------------------------ 2.25 m 3.35 m 5 m Short 2.25 m Module Module Module 3.35 m Stg 2 for CZ-7/8 for CZ-7/8 for CZ-5 Module for CZ-6 Strap-on Stg 1 Stg 1 for CZ-6 Boosters and CZ-5 Stg 1 Boosters and CZ-6A Stg 1 ================================================================== Dia (m) 2.25 m 3.35 m 5.0 m 3.35 m 2.25 m Len (m) 26.3 m 26.3 m 31 m --- 8 m Mb/o (t) 6 t 12.5 t 17 t 7.53 t 1.49 t Mp(t) 75.5 t 174 t(CZ7) 158 t 76 t 15 t ~152 t(CZ5) GLOW (t) 81.5 t 186.5 t(CZ7) 175 t 83.53 t ~16.49 t ~165 t (CZ5) Engine YF-100 2xYF-100 2xYF-77 YF-100 1xYF115 Mfgr CAALPT CAALPT CAALPT CAALPT CAALPT Fuel RP RP LH2 RP RP Oxidizer LOX LOX LOX LOX LOX T(SL t) 122.35 t 244.7 t 110 t 122.35 t T(Vac t) 136.6 t 273.2 t 134.6 t 136.6 t 18 t ISP(SL s) 300 s 300 s 333 s 300 s ISP(Vac s) 335 s 335 s 438 s 335 s ~335 s Tburn (s) ~155 s ~180 s ~500 s ~155 s ~290 s (238 s CZ-6A) No. Eng 1 2 2 1 1 ================================================================== CZ-5 to CZ-8 Vehicle Components, Cont'd ------------------------------------------------------------------ 3.35 m 2.0 m 3.35 m 2.9 m CZ-6A CZ-6A CZ-6C CZ-6C Stg 2 Solids Stg 1 Stg 2 ================================================================== Dia (m) 3.35 m 2.0 m 3.35 m 2.9 m Len (m) 10 m 20 m Mb/o (t) 1.5 t Mp(t) 16.2 t 170 t 28 t GLOW (t) 17.7 t 185 t 31 t Engine 1xYF115 2xYF100K 1xYF115 Mfgr CAALPT CAALPT CAALPT Fuel RP Solid RP RP Oxidizer LOX Solid LOX LOX T(SL t) 123.1 t(ea) 242.28 t 492.3 t (4) T(Vac t) 18 t 18 t ISP(SL s) 300 s ISP(Vac s) 341.5 s 335 s 341.5 s Tburn (s) 308 s 114.5 s No. Eng 1 4 solids 2 1 ================================================================== CZ-5 to CZ-8 Vehicle Components, Cont'd ------------------------------------------------------------------ 3.35 m YZ-1A 3 m 5 m YZ-2 Stg 2 2.25 m Stage 3 Stage 2 Stage 3 "KO" Stage 3 "H18" for "HO" for CZ-5 for CZ-7 CZ-7A and for CZ-5 CZ-8 ================================================================== Dia (m) 3.35 m 2.25 m 3 m 5 m 3.8 m Len (m 8 m (est) - 12.38 m 10 m - Mb/o (t) 5.5 t - 2.8 t 3.52 t - Mp(t) 65 t - 18.2 t 22.9 t - GLOW (t) 70.5 t - 21 t ~26.4 t ~12 t Engine 4xYF115 4xYF-85 2xYF-75 2xYF-75 2xYF-50D Mfgr CAALPT CAALPT CAALPT - - Fuel RP RP LH2 LH2 UDMH Oxidizer LOX H2O2 LOX LOX N2O4 T(SL t) T(Vac t) 72 t 1.6 t 17 t 16.3 t 1.362 t ISP(SL s) ISP(Vac s) ~335 s ~285 s 438 s 438 s 316 s Tburn (s) ~296 s - 475 s ~615 s - No. Eng 4 4 2 2 2 ================================================================== CZ-5 to CZ-8 Vehicle Components, Cont'd ------------------------------------------------------------------ 2.6 m 3.35 m 5m Payload Payload Payload Fairing Fairing Fairing ================================================================== Dia (m) 2.6 m 3.35 m 5.0 m Len (m) ~5-7 m ~5-10 m ~12-24 m GLOW (t) t t t ================================================================== CZ-5 to CZ-8 LAUNCH HISTORY DATE VEHICLE ID PAYLOAD MASS(t) SITE ORBIT ------------------------------------------------------------------ 09/19/15 CZ-6 CZ6-1 Multipayload TY 16 SSO 06/25/16 CZ-7/YZ-1A CZ7-1 NGCV Demo ~12.0 WC 201 LEO 11/03/16 CZ-5/YZ-2 CZ5-Y1 SJ-17 ~4.0 WC 101 GEO 04/20/17 CZ-7 Y2 Tianzhou 1 12.91 WC 201 LEO 07/02/17 CZ-5 Y2 Shijian 18 7.0+ WC 101 [FTO] 11/21/17 CZ-6 CZ6-2 3xJilin ~1.0 TY 16 SSO 11/13/19 CZ-6 Y4 Ningxia 1-1 TY 16 LEO 12/27/19 CZ-5 Y3 Shijian 20 ~7.6 WC 101 GTO+ 03/16/20 CZ-7A Y1 XJY 6 WC 201 [FTO] 05/05/20 CZ-5B Y1 XZF,RCS ~22.0 WC 101 LEO 07/23/20 CZ-5 Y4 Tianwan 1 ~5.0 WC 101 HCO 11/06/20 CZ-6 Y3 1-xNuSats + 3usats ~0.5 TY 16 SSO 11/23/20 CZ-5 Y5 Chang'e 5 8.2 WC 101 TLI 12/22/20 CZ-822 Y1 XJY-1 + 4 usats ~3.22 WC 201 SSO 03/11/21 CZ-7A Y2 XJY 6 2-02 WC 201 GTO 04/27/21 CZ-6 Y5 Qilu 1/4 + 7 usats TY 16 SSO 04/29/21 CZ-5B Y2 Tianhe 22.5 WC 101 LEO 05/29/21 CZ-7 Y3 Tianzhou 2 13.5 WC 201 LEO 07/09/21 CZ-6 Y6 Ningxia 1-2 TY 16 LEO 08/04/21 CZ-6 Y7 KL Beta (A,B) TY 16 LEO 09/20/21 CZ-7 Y4 Tianzhou 3 13.5 WC 201 LEO 11/05/21 CZ-6 Y8 SDGSAT 1 TY 16 SSO 12/23/21 CZ-7A Y3 Shiyan 12 01/02 ~6.0 WC 201 GTO 02/27/22 CZ-820 Y2 10xJilin-1+usats 1.7 WC 201 SSO 03/29/22 CZ-6A Y1 Pujiang 2/Tiankun 2 ~4.0 TY 9A SSO 05/09/22 CZ-7 Y5 Tianzhou 4 13.5 WC 201 LEO 07/24/22 CZ-5B Y3 Wentian (LCM-1) 23.05 WC 101 LEO 08/10/22 CZ-6 Y10 Jilin 1 GF-03D/IR-A 0.63 TY 16 SSO 09/12/22 CZ-7A Y5 Zhongxing 1E 5.32 WC 201 GTO 09/26/22 CZ-6 Y9 Shiyan 16A,B, 17 TY 16 SSO 10/31/22 CZ-5B Y4 Mengtian 23.0 WC 101 LEO 11/11/22 CZ-6A Y2 Yunhai 3-01 ~1.0 TY 9A SSO 11/12/22 CZ-7 Y6 Tianshou 5/XW 4 12.91 WC 201 CSS 01/08/23 CZ-7A Y4 Sijian-23 ~6.0 WC 201 GTO 05/10/23 CZ-7 Y7 Tianzhou 6 ~13.0 WC 201 CSS 06/20/23 CZ-6 Y12 Shiyan 25 TY 16 SSO 09/10/23 CZ-6A Y5 Yaogan 40A-C TY 9A SSO 10/31/23 CZ-6A Y4 Tianhui 5-01/02 TY 9A SSO 11/03/23 CZ-7A Y6 TJS 10 ~6.0? WC 201 GTO 12/15/23 CZ-5 Y6 Yaogan 41 WC 101 GTO 01/17/24 CZ-7 Y8 Tianzhou 7 ~13.0 WC 201 CSS 02/23/24 CZ-5 Y7 TJSW 11 WC 101 GTO 03/20/24 CZ-822 Y3 Queqiao 2 1.28 WC 201 TLI 03/26/24 CZ-6A Y3 Yunhai 3-02 ~1.0 TY 9A SSO 05/03/24 CZ-5 Y8 Chang'e 6 8.2 WC 101 TLI 05/07/24 CZ-6C Y1 Haiwangxing 01 TY 9A SSO ------------------------------------------------------------------ [CZ7-Y1] CZ-7 and Wenchang inaugural. Scaled Next Generation Crew Capsule Demo, plus microsats and ballast. NGCV (2.6 t) reeentered/recovered next day. [CZ5-Y1] CZ-5 inuagural. YZ-2 performed GEO insertion and final 300 m/s of GTO insertion. [CZ5-Y2] Planned GTO. Core stage engine failure. Core stage burned long. Stg 2 separated and ignited. [CZ5-Y3] To 193 x 68,017 km x 19.54 deg transfer orbit. [CZ7A-Y1] Failure sometime after initial ascent. Possible Stg 2. FTO. [CZ5B-Y1] CZ-5B (1.5 stage) test flight also carried XZF New Generation Crewed Spacecraft, RCS inflatable reentry heat shield demonstrator, and other payloads. [CZ5-Y4] To trans-Mars solar orbit. Orbiter, lander, rover. [CZ5-Y5] Chang'e 5 to orbit, land, and return sample from Moon. Sample return mission. [CZ8-Y1] Inaugural CZ-8. Used two liquid strap-on boosters. [CZ8-Y2] First CZ-8 with no liquid strap-on boosters. Two stages only. [CZ6A-Y1] First liquid CZ with solid strap-on boosters. [CZ-7A Y6] 1445 UTC. To 181 x 35836 km x 16.97 deg. Commmunications Technology. [CZ-5 Y6] 1341 UTC. Optical remote sensing satellite. 195x35815 km x 19.51 deg. [CZ-822 Y3] 0031 UTC. Earth/Moon com relay to 200 x 420,000 km. Queqiao 2 (1.2 tonnes), Tiandu (61 kg), Tiandu 2 (15 kg). [CZ-5 Y8] 0927 UTC. Chang'e 6 lunar sample return mission. 8.2 t. [CZ-6C Y1] Inaugural CZ-6C, a two-stage kerosene/LOX rocket able to lift 2 tonnes to a 700 km SSO. LEO - Low Earth Orbit SSO - Sun Synchronous Orbit CSS - China Space Station orbit GTO - Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit GEO - Geosynchronous Orbit TLI - Trans Lunar Orbit HCO - Heliocentric Orbit [FTO] - Failed to Orbit CZ-5 to CZ-8 LAUNCH VEHICLES by Ed Kyle Since 1970, China’s orbital launches have been performed by Chang Zheng (CZ, or Long March) rockets derived from Dong Feng (DF, or East Wind) ballistic missiles. The CZ-2 to CZ-4 series derived from the two-stage DF-5 intercontinental range ballistic missile. This series, which first flew in 1973, can haul 2.8 to 9.5 metric tons (tonnes) to low earth orbit (LEO) and 2.6 to 5.1 tonnes to geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO). The CZ-2F variant has been used to launch crewed Shenzhou spacecraft. Now China’s Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) is working toward development of a more powerful launch vehicle family. CZ-5, China’s first pure space launch vehicle design, is expected to be able to haul up to 25 tonnes to LEO or up to 14 tonnes to GTO. CZ-5 will be augmented by CZ-6, 7, and 8, smaller rockets based on CZ-5 strap-on boosters. (These variants were originially identified as part of the CZ-5 family and leter renamed.) The new EELV-class rocket family will almost certainly support China’s future manned spaceflight and lunar exploration plans. CZ-5 will be powered by a new series of liquid engines, including a 120 tonne thrust LOX/Kerosene engine identified as YF-100 and a 50 tonne thrust LOX/LH2 engine named YF-77. The new engines will do away with the toxic hypergolic UDMH/N2O4 propellants used by the DF-5 based Long March rockets. Engine development began in 2000-2001, with testing directed by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) commencing in 2005. Versions of both engines were successfully tested by mid-2007. A complete family of CZ-5 options is envisioned, based on a modular approach. Three module types, with diameters of 2.25 meters, 3.35 meters, and 5.0 meters, were described in some detail during the 2001-2003 period [1]. The smaller modules were serve as strap on boosters for CZ-5 and also as core stages for smaller rockets. CZ-7 and CZ-8 would use the 3.35 meter module as a first stage core while CZ-6 would use the 2.25 meter module. After CZ-6 entered development in 2008, its first stage design was modified to use 3.35 meter diameter tanks while still powered by a single YF-100 engine. CZ-5 Test Article, Early 2015 Original plans called for the 2.25 meter module to be powered by one 120 tonne thrust kerosene/liquid oxygen (LOX) engine. Two such engines would boost the 3.35 meter module. The 5 meter diameter core stage would use two 50 tonne thrust liquid hydrogen (LH2)/LOX engines. Any of the modules could be used as first stage units on small and medium launch vehicles. The two smaller modules could also serve as strap-on boosters for the 3.35 and 5 meter core stages, in combinations of two or four. Three second stages, one in each of the three module diameters, were also planned. The 5 meter upper stage would be powered by two LH2/LOX engines of 8 tonnes thrust each, similar to the YF-75 engines that powered the CZ-3B upper stage. The existing CZ-4A second stage might be used as the 2.25 meter diameter upper stage, or a new kerosene fueled stage might be developed. A new 3.35 meter kerosene upper stage, powered by four new 15 tonne thrust YF-115 engines, was also contemplated. Development initially focused on the 5 meter core configurations due to the effort required, but CZ-7, the 3.35 meter diameter vehicle, was also pushed forward to become the first of the new rockets planned to fly. These plans were later changed, with CZ-6 slated to fly first. CZ-7 could fly as a two stage rocket, or with two or four 2.25 meter strap on boosters, allowing it to lift from 3 to 10 tonnes to low earth orbit (LEO). A hydrogen fueled third stage could be added to the most powerful variants for high energy missions, providing up to a 6 tonne geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) capability. CZ-7 would, as a result, be able to supplant most of the existing Chinese launch vehicles. It might also find a role in the manned Shenzhou program. CZ-5's 5 meter diameter, 31 meter-long core would weigh 175 tonnes at liftoff, including 158 tonnes of propellant. The core will be augmented by four strap-on boosters, with either two of each diameter (2.25 and 3.35 meter) or with all four of the same diameter. CZ-5 will fly as a 1.5 stage launcher for LEO missions, and as a 2.5 stage vehicle for GTO and deep-space missions. The most powerful CZ-5 version, identified as “CZ-5-504” "CZ-5B" or "CZ-5F" with an upper stage) and equipped with four 3.35 meter modules strapped onto a 5 meter core stage, would liftoff on more than 1,080 tonnes of thrust produced by a total of ten engines, suggesting a possible gross liftoff weight exceeding 800 tonnes. This CZ-5 version, if built as originally planned, might be the world’s most capable launch vehicle in the post-shuttle era, able to boost more payload mass to orbit than any other launch vehicle. Planners hint that full implementation of the CZ-5, 6, 7, and 8 family would occur over a very long period of time. There are no current plans to replace the CZ-2F human launch vehicle, for example. CZ-6 development began in 2008, led by the 8th Research Institute of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). After detailed study of the original 2.25 meter design revealed performance issues, the first stage diameter was increased to 3.35 meters, while the second stage retained its 2.25 meter diameter. First stage propellant loading increased from 61 to 76 tonnes while second stage propellant increased from 13 to 15 tonnes. The propellant tanks used seperate bulkheads in both stages. The changes increased 700 km sun synchronous payload from 500 kg to more than 1,000 kg, shrunk vehicle length from 35 meters to 29.237 meters, and allowed use of a roomier 2.6 meter diameter payload fairing. A single YF-100 staged combustion LOX/kerosene engine of about 120 tonnes thrust would power the first stage. A single 18 tonne vacuum thrust staged combustion LOX/kerosene YF-115 engine would power the second stage. A new third, kick stage was added to the design to perform final orbital insertion. It would use four 408 kgf thrust YF-85 hydrogen peroxide/kerosene engines. During 2012, the CZ-6 YF-100 propulsion system was successfully test fired. A two-stage test firing took place during the first half of 2013, and all three stages were tested during July, 2013. A new launch pad was constructed at Taiyaun launch center for CZ-6. Photos of completed CZ-6 test articles appeared in 2013, as did images of a completed ground test vehicle erected on its new launch pad. CZ-6 was designed to be horizontally integrated in a hangar. It would then move to its launch pad on a wheeled transporter and be erected by a lift arm shortly before launch. The launch vehicle would perform 1 tonne payload class sun synchronous missions from Taiyuan. A first launch was expected to occur before the end of 2015. Both CZ-5 and CZ-7, and eventually CZ-6, will be launched from a new site near Wenchang on Hainan Island off China's southern coastline. Completed 2.25 meter and 3.35 meter diameter test stages were shown in 2013 photographs. A complete CZ-7 Ground Test Vehicle was transported to Wenchang during late 2014. During early 2015, the vehicle was stacked with four 2.25 meter diameter strap-on modules on a mobile launcher platform. The platform with the stacked vehicle was then moved to one of the two new launch pads to allow check out of the facilities. Meanwhile, a complete CZ-5 test vehicle was assembled with 3.35 meter diameter strap on modules in a vertical test tower near Beijing. During early February, 2015, a static test firing of the integrated CZ-5 was successfully performed. China's New Rocket Debuts China successfully launched its first Chang Zheng 6 rocket from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center on September 19, 2015. The three-stage launch vehicle, powered off its new launch pad by China's new 122 tonne thrust, staged-combustion cycle YF-100 LOX/kerosene engine, carried 20 microsatellites into sun synchronous orbit during the test flight. YF-100, China's first big LOX kerosene engine, will also power the forthcoming, larger CZ-5 and CZ-7 launch vehicles. Liftoff from LC 16 took place at 23:01 UTC. The first stage burned for about 155 seconds. The second stage, powered by a YF-115 staged combustion engine producing 18 tonnes of thrust, burned LOX/kerosene for about 290 seconds. At apogee, a small kick stage, powered by four 408 kgf thrust YF-85 hydrogen peroxide/kerosene engines, fired to circularize the orbit. CZ-6 was developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). It's 3.35 meter diameter first stage carried 76 tonnes of propellant while its 2.25 meter diameter second stage carried about 15 tonnes of propellant. The 29.237 meter tall rocket is capable of lifting more than 1,000 kg of payload into a 700 km sun synchronous orbit. Payloads ride within a 2.6 meter diameter fairing. CZ-6 is integrated horizontally in a hangar. A large wheeled transporter/erector carries it to its flat launch pad and erects it shortly before launch. China Debuts CZ-7, Wenchang Launch Site China's Chang Zheng (Long March) 7 flew successfully on its first try from the country's new Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on June 25, 2016. The liftoff, from Pad 201, the easternmost of two new launch pads at the Center, took place at 12:00 UTC. The launch site, on Hainan Island off China's southern coastline, is China's first sea-side launch site, which allowed the rocket stages to fall into the South China Sea as the vehicle ascended on a southeast azimuth toward orbit. CZ-7 flew to a 200 x 394 km x 40.8 deg initial orbit with several demonstration payloads, including a 2.6 tonne blunt cone-shaped, scaled-down Next Generation Crew Vehicle that reentered and landed in China after about one day in orbit. Several microsatellites and ballast were also carried within the payload fairing atop a restartable YZ-1A upper stage. Total payload mass was reportedly about 12 tonnes, which would be the heaviest payload orbited since Japan's HTV-5 ISS cargo hauler in August, 2015. After entering orbit, the YZ-1A stage, which may use four 408 tonne thrust YF-85 hydrogen peroxide/kerosene engines, appeared to have performed several maneuvers, with objects tracked in orbits with apogees as high as 580 km. The stage is also believed to have performed the NGCV deorbit burn. CZ-7 is the second of China’s Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology's (CALT) new family of launchers to enter service, following the smaller CZ-6 in September 2015. CZ-7 uses a 3.35 meter diameter core stage powered by two 122.5 tonne thrust YF-100 RP/LOX staged combustion engines. Four 2.25 meter diameter strap-on boosters, each powered by one YF-100, augment the core to produce a total of 734.1 tonnes (1.618 million pounds) of thrust at liftoff. Four 18 tonne thrust YF-115 RP/LOX staged combustion engines power the 3.35 meter diameter second stage. The rocket weighs about 594 tonnes at liftoff and stands about 53.1 meters tall. The 2.5 stage CZ-7 version can lift 13.5 tonnes to 200 x 400 km x 42 deg or 5.5 tonnes to a 700 km sun synchronous orbit. A liquid hydrogen third stage could be added in the future to lift payloads to GTO. The CZ-7 core stage will serve as a strap-on booster for China's next, biggest-ever rocket, CZ-5, which may debut later this year. CZ-5 will have a 5 meter diameter liquid hydrogen fueled core stage and will be able to lift 25 tonnes to LEO, making it among the world's most powerful orbital launchers. CZ-5 will fly from Pad 101, the west pad at Wenchang. The Center features two vertical assembly buildings, one for CZ-7 and one for CZ-5, which are located about 2.7 km north of the sea-side pads. Stacked launch vehicles move on rail-based mobile transporters from the VAB to the pad. A complete CZ-7 Ground Test Vehicle was assembled at Wenchang during early 2015 and moved to Pad 201 to check out the new site. CZ-5 Debut China launched its first Chang Zheng (Long March) 5 from Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan Island off China's southern coastline on November 3, 2016, debuting a powerful new launch capability after nearly two decades of development. The liftoff, from Pad 101, the westernmost of two new launch pads at the Center, took place at 12:43 UTC after about 2 hours 43 minutes of holds. A YZ-2 (Yuanzheng) restarable hypergolic upper stage and Shijian 17 experimental ion-propulsion satellite that together may have weighed 12 tonnes or more topped the 2.5 stage CZ-5 vehicle on this inaugural test flight. Shijian 17 itself likely weighed nearly 4 tonnes. The initial, half-hour phase of the flight used two second stage burns to put the YZ-2/Shijian 17 combination into a 178 x 29,127 km x 19.5 orbit. YZ-2 fired immediately after second stage separation to inserted Shijian 17 into a 212 x 35,802 km x 19.5 deg geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO). About six hours after launch, YZ-2 performed an apogee kick burn to insert Shijian into near-geosynchronous orbit. At more than 870 tonnes, CZ-5 became the world's highest active gross liftoff weight launch vehicle. It's 5 meter diameter LH2/LOX core stage and four 3.35 meter diameter kerosene/LOX strap-on boosters produced a total 1,080 tonnes liftoff thrust using a total of 10 liquid rocket engines. The rocket stood 56.97 meters tall. The 31.02 x 5 meter first stage weighed 175.8 tonnes and was powered by two YF-77 LH2/LOX engines that together produced 104 tonnes of liftoff thrust. The stage, which carried 158 tonnes of propellant, burned for 471 seconds, with the YF-77 engines operating at 430 seconds vacuum specific impulse. The four 26.28 x 3.25 meter strap-on boosters were powered by two YF-100 RP/LOX staged combustion engines that combined to produce 242 tonnes of liftoff thrust for each booster. YF-100 had previously powered China's inaugural CZ-6 and CZ-7 launches during the previous 14 months. Each booster may have weighed about 165 tonnes at liftoff. The boosters burned for nearly 173 seconds before separating from the still-burning first stage. The 12 x 5 meter second stage was powered by two YF-75D LH2/LOX engines that together made 32.6 tonnes of thrust at 438 second specific impulse. Similar YF-75 engines have powered CZ-3A and CZ-3B upper stages for years. The stage weighed 26 tonnes and carried 22.9 tonnes of propellant. It performed an initial 355 second burn to reach a low earth parking orbit, then restarted after a 592 second coast to the first equator crossing. The 345 second long second burn lofted the payload to an orbit that was about 300 meters per sec short of GTO. The YZ-2 stage added an initial 80 second burn to reach the GTO velocity. According to some accounts, this burn was planned as an early test of the new stage, which may have produced 1.33 tonnes total thrust at 316 seconds specific impulse. At first apogee about 6 hours 11 minutes after liftoff, the stage began a 40 second burn to circularize the orbit. Shijian 17 separation took place around the 6 hour 14 minute mark. CZ-5 in its fully developed form will lift as much as 25 tonnes to low earth orbit in 1.5 stage form or 14 tonnes to GTO using 2.5 stages, making it more capable than Proton or Ariane 5 and possibly matching or exceeding Delta 4. CZ-7A Inaugural Fails China's CZ-7A, an upgraded version of its previously-flown CZ-7 with a cryogenic third stage added, failed during its inaugural launch attempt on March 16, 2020. The tall rocket lifted off from LC 201 at Wenchang Space Launch Center at 13:34 UTC. The early portion of the ascent appeared nominal, but something went wrong within a roughly half-hour span after liftoff. China's Xinhua news service announced that after the early part of the launch "a malfunction occurred later". Intial rumors suggested an issue with the third stage, but these were unconfirmed. A video posted online later showed a possible failure during the early moments of the second stage burn. The launch vehicle aimed to place the XJY-6 satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit, a goal that would have required the third stage to perform two burns, with the second taking place about 20-30 minutes after liftoff. CZ-7A uses a 3.35 meter diameter core stage powered by two 122.5 tonne thrust YF-100 RP/LOX staged combustion engines. Four 2.25 meter diameter strap-on boosters, each powered by one YF-100, augment the core to produce a total of 734.1 tonnes (1.618 million pounds) of thrust at liftoff. Four 18 tonne thrust YF-115 RP/LOX staged combustion engines power the 3.35 meter diameter second stage. Two YF-75 engines produce a combined 16.3 tonnes thrust to power the third, 21 tonne LH2/LOX stage. Two previous, successful CZ-7 launches, with no cryogenic third stage, took place in 2016 and 2017. CZ-5B Y1CZ-5B First Flight China introduced a 1.5-stage version of its CZ-5 launch vehicle, identified as CZ-5B, on May 5, 2020, with a test flight from Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan Island off China's southern coast. Liftoff from Pad 101 took place at 10:00 UTC. The mission carried an uncrewed "New Generation Crewed Spacecraft" (XZF Chinese abbreviation) to a roughly 162 x 377 km x 41.1 deg low Earth orbit within a giant new 5.2 x 20.5 meter payload fairing. At least one auxiliary payload was also orbited, an inflatable reentry heat shield named RCS. The 53.7 meter tall rocket rose on the combined 1,080 tonnes of thrust produced by 10 engines; two YF-77 gas generator engines on the 5-meter diameter LH2/LOX core and two YF-100 staged- combustion engines each on four 3.35 meter diameter kerosene/LOX strap-on boosters. The boosters separated about 173 seconds after liftoff. The core stage burned all the way to orbit, shutting down about 467 seconds after liftoff. Payload separation took place at about T+483 seconds. The XZF spacecraft, slated to fly a three-day mission before reentering and landing on China's mainland, likely weighed 21.6 tonnes, making this by-far China's heaviest-ever payload to orbit. CZ-5B is intended to lift China's new space station modules. It is designed to lift as much as 25 tonnes to low earth orbit, making it more capable than Proton or Ariane 5 and possibly matching or exceeding Delta 4 Heavy. CZ-8 Y1CZ-8 Inaugural China debuted its CZ-8 medium-lift launch vehicle on December 22, 2020. The 2.5-stage, 50.3 meter tall, 356 tonne rocket boosted five satellites into sun synchronous orbit after an 04:37 UTC liftoff from Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on China's Hainan island. The primary payload was 3 tonne XJY-7, a classified remote sensing technology test satellite. Hisea 1, a 180 kg C-band sythetic aperture radar satellite was also orbited, along with three nanoosatellites. CZ-8 uses the CZ-7 3.35 meter diameter core with its twin YF-100 staged combustion kerosene/LOX engines, but augmented by only two of the 2.25 meter diameter liquid strap-on boosters, each using a single YF-100, rather than CZ-7's four. The CZ-7 second stage is not used. Instead, a 3 meter diameter liquid hydrogen/LOX dual YF-75-powered upper stage that is used by CZ-3A/B and CZ-7A serves as a second stage. CZ-8 is designed to lift 4.5 tonnes to a 700 km sun synchronous orbit, or 2.5 tonnes to geosynchronous transfer orbit, slightly less than existing CZ-3A capability. This launch achieved a roughly 510 km x 97.4 deg sun synchronous orbit. On this flight the YF-100 engines throttled down for the first time, to 77.5% at Max-Q. The two boosters shut down and separated at T+172 seconds. The core burned until T+208 seconds. The payload fairing separated at T+215 seconds, shortly after second stage ignition. Stage 2 shut down at T+479 seconds to reach a temporary ascent trajectory. The stage performed a second burn from t+885 to 1030 seconds to reach its insertion orbit. CZ-7A Succeeds China's CZ-7A, an upgraded version of its previously-flown CZ-7 with a cryogenic third stage added, scored its first success during its second launch on March 11, 2021. The 3.5 stage rocket boosted the secret Xinjishu Yanzheng-6-02 (XJY-2-02) satellite, named Shiyan 9 (Experiment 9) upon reaching orbit, into a geosynchronous transfer orbit during a roughly one-half-hour mission. Liftoff from LC 201 at Wenchang Space Launch Center took place at 17:51 UTC. The third stage performed two burns, with the second taking place about 20-30 minutes after liftoff. The first CZ-7A failed during its inaugural flight on March 16, 2020 due to a failure that appeared to occur during the early moments of the second stage burn. The true cause was only officially revealed after the second CZ-7A succeeded. One of the four first stage strap-on booster engines faltered after LOX cavitation began at the LOX tank outlet at T+168 seconds, 5 seconds before the YF-100 engines were supposed to shut down. When the combined first stage and boosters separated, they veered due to the unequal thrust, knocking the vehicle out of its proper attitude which led to an an explosion shortly after staging. CZ-7A uses a 3.35 meter diameter core stage powered by two 122.5 tonne thrust YF-100 RP/LOX staged combustion engines. Four 2.25 meter diameter strap-on boosters, each powered by one YF-100, augment the core to produce a total of 734.1 tonnes (1.618 million pounds) of thrust at liftoff. Four 18 tonne thrust YF-115 RP/LOX staged combustion engines power the 3.35 meter diameter second stage. Two YF-75 engines produce a combined 16.3 tonnes thrust to power the third, 21 tonne LH2/LOX stage. Two previous, successful CZ-7 launches, with no cryogenic third stage, took place in 2016 and 2017. CZ-6A Inaugural China launched its first CZ-6A rocket from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center on March 29, 2022, with a 09:50 UTC liftoff from a brand new launch pad possibly designated LC 9A. Two satellites, Pujian 2 and Tiankun 2, were inserted into roughly 590 x 605 km x 97.79 deg sun synchronous orbit. It was the country's first use of solid rocket boosters on a liquid core vehicle. The launch added to a growing, almost bewildering, collection of new launch vehicles. The rocket bore almost no resemblance to the previously-flown two-stage CZ-6 launch vehicle. It stood 50 meters tall and weighed 530 tonnes at launch. Four, 2 meter diameter solid boosters produced 492.3 tonnes of combined thrust. Its 3.35 meter first stage was powered by two, rather than only one, YF-100 kerosene/LOX staged combustion engines. They added 242.29 tonnes thrust at liftoff. The solids burned out after 114.5 seconds and separated three seconds later. The payload fairing separated at T+179 seconds, while the first stage burned out and separated at T+238.5 seconds. The 3.35 meter diameter second stage then fired its single YF-115 kerosene/LOX engine, producing 18 tonnes thrust for 546 seconds to reach orbit. Spacecraft separations took place at T+886 seconds and T+1,006 seconds. References [1] The New Generation Launch Vehicles of Long March Family, Tangming Cheng, Xiojun Wang, Dong Li, Beijing Institute of Astronautical Systems Engineering, 54th International Astronautical Congress of the International Astronautical Federation, the International Academy of Astronautics, and the International Institute of Space Law, October 2003, Bremen, Germany. [2] "Five Follows Seven, Details of China's New Launcher Family Emerge", Bradley Perrett, Aviation Week & Space Technology, March 12, 2012. Jonathan's Space Report Launch Vehicle Database "http://www.planet4589.org/space/lvdb/index.html" Encylopedia Astronautica "http://www.astronautix.com/" Gunter's Space Page "http://www.skyrocket.de/space"