Success
Shenzhou-3
Human Exploration
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation(CASC)GovernmentLong March 2F
LEOorbit
Third test flight of the Shenzhou spacecraft, without crew on board. Main objective of the mission was to test the systems required to support a human in space. A human dummy was carried in the descent module to simulate the physiological signals of a human. 44 different experiments were carried, including an imaging spectrograph, cloud sensor, radiation sensor, solar ultraviolet monitor, solar constant monitor, atmospheric composition detector, atmospheric density detector, multi-chamber space crystallization furnace, space protein crystal equipment, a cell bioreactor, a solid matter tracking detector, and a microgravity gauge. Also on board was a video camera that broadcast images of the Earth as seen through one of the windows on the spacecraft.
Monday, March 25, 2002 at 2:15 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
#4,525
CASC Mission
#9
Pad Launch
#3
Location Launch
#31
Designator
2002-014
Launch Window
NET
Mar 25, 2002, 2:15 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
Mar 25, 2002, 10:15 PM
Total Launches
286
Total Landings
2
Coordinates
40.9581, 100.2911