The "Long-March" CZ-2F carrier rocket that launched manned Shenzhou
V spacecraft has adopted 55 new technologies, including fault
detection and treatment and escape systems, said a Chinese rocket
expert.
Huang Chunping, commander-in-chief of the rocket system of
China's manned spaceflight program, said that the fault detection
system would automatically detect and diagnose any fault in the
initial stage of the flight and inform the escape system, which
would, in turn, separate the spaceship from the rocket to ensure
the safety of the astronaut.
He said that for the first time the rocket is assembled and
tested and the combination of the spaceship, rocket and platform is
transported in the vertical position.
To improve the reliability of the launch, dual guidance and
stability control systems have been adopted on the "Long-March"
CZ-2F carrier rocket, said Sun Ningsheng, deputy chief designer of
the rocket system.
Development of "Long-March" CZ-2F carrier rocket, intended
mainly for spaceship launch, began in 1992. It is the most
sophisticated and most reliable type of carrier rocket developed in
China.
(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2003)
