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.

(China.org.cn by Wang Qian, May 31, 2003)