Long March 2F#Derivatives

{{Infobox rocket

| name = Long March 2F

| image = LM2F-Y13.png

| caption = The Long March 2F rocket with Shenzhou 13 spacecraft mounted on the top

| upright = 1.2

| function = Crew-rated orbital launch vehicle

| manufacturer = China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT)

| country-origin = China

| status = Active

| sites = Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center

| height = {{cvt|62|m}}{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/cz2f.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020317045943/http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/cz2f.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 March 2002|author=Mark Wade|title=CZ-2F|publisher=Encyclopedia Astronautica|access-date=2008-05-02}}

| diameter = {{cvt|3.35|m}}

| mass = {{cvt|464000|kg}}

| stages = 2

| launches = 25

| success = 25

| first = 19 November 1999

| last = 24 April 2025

| payloads = Shenzhou
Tiangong-1
Tiangong-2
Reusable experimental spacecraft

| capacities =

{{Infobox Rocket/Payload

| location = LEO

| kilos = {{cvt|8400|kg}}

}}

| family = Long March 2

| stagedata = {{Infobox rocket/stage

| type = booster

| stageno = First

| number = 4

| length = {{cvt|15.3|m}}

| diameter = {{cvt|2.3|m}}

| empty = {{cvt|3200|kg}}

| gross = {{cvt|41000|kg}}

| engines = 1 YF-20B per booster

| thrust = {{cvt|814|kN}}

| total = {{cvt|3256|kN}}

| SI = {{cvt|291|isp}}

| burntime = 128 seconds

| fuel = N₂O₄ / UDMH

}}

{{Infobox rocket/stage

| type = stage

| stageno = First

| length = {{cvt|23.7|m}}

| diameter = {{cvt|3.4|m}}

| empty = {{cvt|9500|kg}}

| gross = {{cvt|196500|kg}}

| engines = 4 YF-20B

| thrust = {{cvt|3256|kN}}

| SI = {{cvt|291|isp}}

| burntime = 166 seconds

| fuel = N₂O₄ / UDMH

}}

{{Infobox rocket/stage

| type = stage

| stageno = Second

| length = {{cvt|13.5|m}}

| diameter = {{cvt|3.4|m}}

| empty = {{cvt|5500|kg}}

| gross = {{cvt|91500|kg}}

| engines = 1 YF-24B

| thrust = {{cvt|831|kN}}

| SI = {{cvt|289|isp}}

| burntime = 300 seconds

| fuel = N₂O₄ / UDMH

}}

The Long March 2F ({{zh|长征二号F火箭}} Changzheng 2F), also known as the CZ-2F, LM-2F and Shenjian ({{lang|zh-hans|神箭}}, "Divine Arrow"), is a Chinese orbital carrier rocket, part of the Long March 2 rocket family. Designed to launch 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.cgwic.com/launchservices/launchvehicle/lm2f.html|title=LM-2F - Launch Vehicle|publisher=CGWIC|access-date=2010-12-13|archive-date=21 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721020819/http://www.cgwic.com/LaunchServices/LaunchVehicle/LM2F.html|url-status=dead}} It is launched from complex SLS at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The Long March 2F made its maiden flight on 19 November 1999, with the Shenzhou 1 spacecraft. After the flight of Shenzhou 3, CPC General Secretary and President Jiang Zemin named the rocket "Shenjian", meaning "Divine Arrow".{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/cz.htm|title=CZ|publisher=Astronautix.com|access-date=2010-12-13|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611001414/http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/cz.htm|archive-date=2009-06-11}}

On 29 December 2002, a Long March 2F launched Shenzhou 4 for a final uncrewed test of the Shenzhou spacecraft for the upcoming flight of the first crewed mission. Until then, all missions were uncrewed.

On 15 October 2003, a Long March 2F launched Shenzhou 5, China's maiden crewed mission and achieved its first human spaceflight. Since then, the rocket has launched twenty more missions into orbit with the latest being the Shenzhou 20 spacecraft.{{cite web|url=https://news.sina.com.cn/o/2022-08-05/doc-imizirav6807770.shtml#/|title=我国成功发射可重复使用试验航天器 |language=zh |date=2022-08-05 |editor=刘光博 |agency=新华社酒 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814200736/https://news.sina.com.cn/o/2022-08-05/doc-imizirav6807770.shtml |archive-date=2022-08-14 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|title=China launches 3 astronauts to oversee construction of new Tiangong space station|date=5 June 2022 |url=https://www.space.com/china-shenzhou-14-mission-launch-success|publisher=Space.com|access-date=5 June 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.space.com/china-shenzhou-13-astronauts-begin-space-station-work|title=Shenzhou 13 astronauts begin China's longest mission ever at space station module (video)|publisher=Space.com|date=17 October 2021|access-date=6 November 2021}}{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/24/content_10102808.htm|title=China to launch Shenzhou 7 spacecraft on Thursday|publisher=English Xinhua |website=news.xinhuanet.com|date=2008-09-24|access-date=2010-12-13|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705145317/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/24/content_10102808.htm|archive-date=2009-07-05}}

Differences from the Long March 2E

Externally, the rocket is similar to the Long March 2E from which it was derived. Most of the changes involve the addition of redundant systems to improve safety, although there are some structural modifications that allow the rocket to support the heavier fairing required by the Shenzhou capsule. The rocket is also capable of lifting heavier payloads with the addition of extra boosters to the first stage.{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceandtech.com/spacedata/elvs/longmarch2f_sum.shtml|title=Long March 2F - Summary|website=spaceandtech.com|date=1999-11-20|access-date=2010-12-13|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604030747/http://www.spaceandtech.com/spacedata/elvs/longmarch2f_sum.shtml|archive-date=2011-06-04}}

The rocket also has an "advanced fault monitoring and diagnosis system to help the astronauts escape in time of emergency" (in other words, a launch escape system), and is the first Chinese made rocket to be assembled and rolled out to its launch site vertically.{{cite web |date=2007-05-14 |title=ChangZheng 2F (Long March 2F) Space Launch Vehicle |url=http://www.sinodefence.com/strategic/launchvehicle/cz2f.asp |website=www.sinodefence.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080523092038/http://www.sinodefence.com/strategic/launchvehicle/cz2f.asp |archive-date=2008-05-23 |url-status=dead }}

Derivatives

file:CZ-2F rendering.jpg|Long March 2 F/G version

file:CZ-2FT rendering.jpg|Long March 2 F/T version

A derivative called Long March 2F/G, first launched in 2011, was made to replace the existing 2F variant. For uncrewed launches, Long March 2F/T was designed, which launched space laboratories such as Tiangong-1 and Tiangong-2. It dispenses with the launch escape system and supports a larger fairing to accommodate the bulkier payloads.{{cite news|title=Last Launch for Long March 2F/G|url=http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Last_Launch_for_Long_March2FG_999.html|work=Space Daily |first=Morris|last=Jones|date=2016-01-27|access-date=2016-04-07|quote=The principal difference between the Shenzhou-launching Long March 2F and its 2F/G cousin is easy to spot. The 2F/G carries a very different payload fairing at its top. This accounts. for the larger dimensions of the Tiangong laboratory, which wouldn't fit inside the standard payload fairing for the 2F.
It also lacks an emergency escape system. With no astronauts on board, the escape rocket and stabilizer panels that help Shenzhou spacecraft to separate from their rocket in a launch failure are not needed. This simplifies the design and also reduces the weight of the rocket. That's critical. Tiangong modules weigh more than Shenzhou spacecraft, so this helps to keep the overall launch mass within performance limits.}} For launching payloads like reusable experimental spacecraft, the Long March 2F/G's fairing has bumps added to enclose parts of the payload (such as wingtips) without using a larger fairing.{{cite tweet|user=CNSAWatcher |number=1558709527930818560 |title=Fairing of CZ2F rocket which launched CSSHQ on Aug 5 being openly exhibited in Henan Jiyuan No.1 middle school. If the bumps are spare spaces for wings, CSSHQ's wingspan could be larger than fairing's diameter 4.2m. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814195129/https://twitter.com/CNSAWatcher/status/1558709527930818560 |url-status=live |archive-date=2022-08-14 }}{{cite tweet|number=1558794449379291138 |user=Kedrskie |title=ミニシャトルを載せてたんでないかと噂されている、8/5に打ち上げられた長征2号F/T。そのフェアリングに大きな張り出しが設けられていて、シャトルの翼端を納める為のものでは？というツイート。張り出しの裏側が見えるコマを切り出して明度を上げると、確かに内側は空洞になってる。 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814195547/https://twitter.com/Kedrskie/status/1558794449379291138 |archive-date=2022-08-14 |url-status=live }}{{cite tweet|user=CNSpaceflight |number=1558812459544129536 |title= The leaked footage of #CZ2F fairing suggests the Chinese reusable spaceplane may be X-37B alike. 👇Here are some dimensions overlay (each floor brick measures ~600x600mm). The distance & angle between wings and tail fins "exactly" match that of X-37B. The fairing measures 4.2m...

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814200103/https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1558812459544129536 |archive-date=2022-08-14 |url-status=live }}

Vibration issues

During the Shenzhou 5 flight, Yang Liwei became unwell due to heavy vibrations from the rocket. Although the problem was reduced somewhat by modifications to the rocket, vibrations were reported again in Shenzhou 6 necessitating further changes. According to Jing Muchun, chief designer of the Long March 2F "We made changes to the pipelines of the rocket engine, adjusting its frequency. A new design for the pressure accumulator produced evident results. The vibration has now been reduced by more than 50%".{{Cite web |date=2008-09-25 |title=New mission for CZ-2F rocket |url=https://www.cctv.com/english/20080925/105699.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080926063356/http://www.cctv.com/english/20080925/105699.shtml |archive-date=2008-09-26 |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=China Central Television}} During the launch preparations for the Shenzhou 14 mission chief designer Gao Xu said incremental improvements made to the rocket's design mean vibrations felt by the taikonauts would be similar to that felt in a car driven on a highway.{{cite web|title=Improvements make Shenzhou-14 spaceship safer and more comfortable |date=5 June 2022 |url=https://newsexplorer.net/improvements-make-shenzhou-14-spaceship-safer-and-more-comfortable-s1748805.html}}

The predecessor Long March 2E had also been known for vibration. During two launches, excessive vibration caused the collapse of the payload fairing, destroying the Optus B2 and Apstar 2 satellites.{{cite journal|last1=Zinger|first1=Kurtis J.|title=An Overreaction that Destroyed an Industry: The Past, Present, and Future of U.S. Satellite Export Controls |date=2014|url=http://lawreview.colorado.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/13.-86.1-Zinger_Final.pdf |journal=University of Colorado Law Review |volume=86 |issue=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625013649/http://lawreview.colorado.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/13.-86.1-Zinger_Final.pdf |archive-date=2022-06-25 |url-status=live }} After the payload fairing was redesigned, excessive vibration also damaged the AsiaSat 2 satellite during launch. After its successful launch of the Echostar 1 satellite on 28 December 1995 the rocket was officially retired from service.{{cite book|title=CZ-2E Space Launch Vehicle |year=2013 |doi=10.1007/978-1-4614-5043-6 |url=https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-1-4614-5043-6|last1=Harvey |first1=Brian |isbn=978-1-4614-5042-9 }}

File:CZ-2F.svg|Long March 2F rocket schematics

File:Shenzhou-12 roll out 02.png|The Long March 2F rocket with folded grid fins carrying Shenzhou 12 mission spacecraft, inscribed with "Divine Arrow" ({{lang|zh-hans|神箭}}) in Chinese

File:Launch of Shenzhou 13.jpg|Launch of Shenzhou 13

File:1分钟回顾神舟十五号载人飞船发射2.png|Shenzhou 15 before liftoff

Launch statistics

{{#invoke:Chart | bar chart

| height = 300

| width = 500

| stack = 1

| group 1 = 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0

| group 2 = 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0

| group 3 = 1: 0: 1: 2: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 1: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 3: 3: 2: 1

| group 4 = 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2

| colors = FireBrick : Orange : ForestGreen : LightBlue

| group names = Failure : Partial failure : Success : Planned

| units suffix = _launches

| x legends = 1999 :::::: 2005 ::::: 2010 ::::: 2015 ::::: 2020 ::::: 2025

}}

List of launches

class="wikitable"

! Flight number

! Serial number

! Date (UTC)

!Version

! Launch site

! Payload

! Orbit

! Crew

! Result

! Remarks

| Y1

| 19 November 1999
22:30

| 2F

Long March 2F#Derivatives

Differences from the Long March 2E

Derivatives

Vibration issues

Launch statistics

List of launches

See also

References