Success
Shenzhou-2
Human Exploration
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation(CASC)GovernmentLong March 2F
LEOorbit
Second test flight of the Shenzhou spacecraft, without crew on board. A monkey, a dog, and a rabbit were carried in a test of the spaceship's life support systems. There were also 64 different scientific payloads, including a microgravity crystallography experiment; animal species including six mice, small aquatic and terrestrial organisms; cosmic ray and particle detectors and gamma-ray burst detectors. To test the radio transmitting systems taped messages were broadcast from the spacecraft. During return to Earth the parachutes failed to open upon re-entry, which resulted in a hard landing of the descent capsule.
Tuesday, January 9, 2001 at 5:00 PM
Mission details
The Shenzhou program is a crewed spaceflight initiative by China. The program put the first Chinese citizen, Yang Liwei, into orbit on 15 October 2003.
Jan 1, 1993 — ongoing
Orbital Attempt
#4,453
CASC Mission
#8
Pad Launch
#2
Location Launch
#30
Designator
2001-001
Launch Window
NET
Jan 9, 2001, 5:00 PM
Schedule Changes
1 update
Long March 2F Specs
The Long March 2F is a Chinese orbital carrier rocket, part of the Long March 2 rocket family. Designed to launch the crewed Shenzhou spacecraft, the Long March 2F is a human-rated two-stage version of the Long March 2E rocket, which in turn was based on the Long March 2C launch vehicle. It is launched from complex SLS at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
Length
62 m
Diameter
3.35 m
Launch Mass
464 t
Thrust
5,985 kN
LEO Capacity
8,400 kg
Reusable
No
Maiden Flight
1999
Fastest Turnaround
9mo 9d
Total Launches
7
Successful
7
Failed
0
Consecutive Success
7
Maiden flight: Nov 19, 1999
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.
Founded
1999
Administrator
Chairman & President: Lei Fanpei
Total Launches
592
Successful
577
Failed
15
Pending
9
Consecutive Success
18
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is a Chinese spaceport located between the Ejin, Alxa, Inner Mongolia and Hangtian Town, Jinta County, Jiuquan, Gansu Province. It is part of the Dongfeng Aerospace City (Base 10).
Timezone
Asia/Shanghai
Local Launch Time
Jan 10, 2001, 1:00 AM
Total Launches
286
Total Landings
2
Coordinates
40.9581, 100.2911