Long-March Rocket Technology Meets International Standards ( 2003-05-31 13:57) (china.org.cn) With the successful launch of
the Beidou navigation and positioning satellite, the Long-March launchers have
raised the success rate of this Chinese technology to 90 percent. Chinese
aeronautical experts said the overall technology embodied in China's Long-March
carrier rockets has already met international standards.
The successful launch of the Beidou navigation and positioning satellite has
raised the success rate of the Long-March launchers to 90 percent from 89.8
percent. According to relevant statistics, the success rate of America¡¯s Delta
carrier rockets is 94 percent, the success rate of the European Ariane carrier
rockets is 93 percent, and the Russian Proton carrier rockets, 90 percent.
Since the Long-March launcher put China¡¯s first man-made satellite,
Dongfanghong (Red East) 1, into orbit, the carrier rockets have successfully
sent 52 different Chinese-made satellites, 27 foreign satellites and four
Shenzhou space shuttles into space. Over the past 14 years, China¡¯s astronautic
technology has developed rapidly and continuously. The Long-March carrier
rockets alone have made 50 launches. The 28 continuously successful launches of
the Long-March carrier rockets since October 1996 show China¡¯s astronautic
technology capability.
From propulsion in normal to low temperature, from series connection rocket
to carrier rocket, from launching satellite load to launching manned spaceship,
Long-March launchers have passed many different technology experiences.
Now the Long-March family has 12 different kinds of rockets, and they are
capable of launching spacecraft in different orbits.
According to experts, in order to raise the rockets¡¯ competitive edge in the
world launch market, scientists are actively researching and developing a new
carrier rocket that is non-polluting, low cost, reliable, adaptable and secure.
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