The Long March 2 (Chang Zheng 2 or CZ-2) rocket series is one of the most versatile and widely used families within China’s Long March launch vehicle program. It was developed from China’s ballistic missile technology, particularly the Dong Feng-5 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), and has served as the foundation for many subsequent variants.
Design and Construction
The Long March 2 rockets are primarily liquid-fueled, using unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) as fuel and nitrogen tetroxide (N₂O₄) as the oxidizer. These hypergolic propellants ignite on contact, making them highly reliable for orbital launches. The rockets typically employ a two-stage configuration, with some variants incorporating additional boosters or stages for specialized missions.
Variants and Applications
The series includes multiple variants, each tailored to specific mission profiles:
- Long March 2A: The original version, used for early orbital launches, is no longer in service.
- Long March 2C: A reliable two-stage rocket designed for low Earth orbit (LEO) missions, including satellite deployment and technology demonstration payloads. It has been used for missions involving small payloads and has flown numerous times since its introduction.
- Long March 2D: A more advanced version, optimized for launching satellites into low and sun-synchronous orbits. It offers greater versatility and is still operational today.
- Long March 2E: A heavier-lift variant with strap-on boosters, designed for launching larger satellites, particularly into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). It was retired due to issues with vibrations affecting payloads.
- Long March 2F: Known as the Shenjian (Divine Arrow), this version is human-rated and has been used for crewed spaceflights under the Shenzhou program. It famously launched China’s first astronaut, Yang Liwei, aboard Shenzhou 5 in 2003, marking China’s entry into human space exploration. It is also used for uncrewed missions to the Chinese space station.
Achievements
The Long March 2 series has played a critical role in advancing China’s space ambitions, supporting satellite deployment, crewed missions, and uncrewed tests for human-rated spacecraft. Notably, the Long March 2F variant continues to be a workhorse for launching crew and cargo to the Tiangong space station.
Legacy and Impact
The Long March 2 series is the backbone of China’s space program, with its robust design influencing newer rocket families. While early versions have been retired, variants like the 2D and 2F remain operational and are vital for China’s current and future space missions, including scientific research, Earth observation, and crewed exploration. Its success underscores China’s steady progress in space technology over the decades.
