Long March 7
Encyclopedia
The Long March 7 or Chang Zheng 7 as in pinyin
, abbreviated LM-7 for export or CZ-7 within China, is a Chinese
liquid-fuelled carrier rocket
, which is being developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
.
As one of the new generation rocket family of Long March 5, Long March 6
and Long March 7
, it is to be a medium-heavy launch vehicle, fits the gap between the heavy Long March 5 family and the small-mid Long March 6
family.
The structure will be based on the reliable man-rated Long March 2F
rocket, Thus it will inherate the 3.35m-diameter core stage and 2.25-diameter liquid rocket boosters. However, it will use LOX
/kerosene
fuel instead of expensive and dangerous N2O4/UDMH
fuels used in previous Long March 2 rocket family. The new engines is borrowed from the engines developed for Long March 5, similar to Long March 6
. The target is to build a more cost-effective and environment friendly rocket family to replace today's Long March 2 and potentially Long March 3
serial to satisfy both domestic and international launch market needs.
With payloads in the range of 10-20 tons cited, it is likely to be use two YF-100
first-stage engines at the 1st core stage, while one YF-100
engines of each of its 4 liquid rocket boosters.
Bradley Perrett from Aviation Week writes that the description of Long March 7 corresponds with the mid-sized launcher that the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology
detailed in 2007. The configuration displayed then had the two K3 core modules, four K2 boosters and a special 3-meter-dia. module, H3, that would presumably be an optional third stage for missions beyond low Earth orbit. But the range of payloads quoted for Long March 7, 10-20 tons, shows that it would be built with a variety of booster combinations. A single YF-100 would presumably provide second-stage propulsion.
Pinyin
Pinyin is the official system to transcribe Chinese characters into the Roman alphabet in China, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. It is also often used to teach Mandarin Chinese and spell Chinese names in foreign publications and used as an input method to enter Chinese characters into...
, abbreviated LM-7 for export or CZ-7 within China, is a Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
liquid-fuelled carrier rocket
Launch vehicle
In spaceflight, a launch vehicle or carrier rocket is a rocket used to carry a payload from the Earth's surface into outer space. A launch system includes the launch vehicle, the launch pad and other infrastructure....
, which is being developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation 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...
.
As one of the new generation rocket family of Long March 5, Long March 6
Long March 6
The Long March 6 or Chang Zheng 6 as in pinyin, abbreviated LM-6 for export or CZ-6 within China, is a Chinese liquid-fuelled carrier rocket, which is being developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, and is scheduled to...
and Long March 7
Long March 7
The Long March 7 , or Chang Zheng 7 as in pinyin, abbreviated LM-7 for export or CZ-7 within China, is a Chinese liquid-fuelled carrier rocket, which is being developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation....
, it is to be a medium-heavy launch vehicle, fits the gap between the heavy Long March 5 family and the small-mid Long March 6
Long March 6
The Long March 6 or Chang Zheng 6 as in pinyin, abbreviated LM-6 for export or CZ-6 within China, is a Chinese liquid-fuelled carrier rocket, which is being developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, and is scheduled to...
family.
The structure will be based on the reliable man-rated Long March 2F
Long March 2F
The Long March 2F , also known as the CZ-2F, LM-2F and Shenjian, is a Chinese manned orbital carrier rocket, part of the Long March rocket family. Designed to launch manned Shenzhou spacecraft, the Long March 2F is a man-rated two-stage version of the Long March 2E rocket, which in turn was based...
rocket, Thus it will inherate the 3.35m-diameter core stage and 2.25-diameter liquid rocket boosters. However, it will use LOX
Lox
Lox is salmon fillet that has been cured. In its most popular form, it is thinly sliced—less than in thickness—and, typically, served on a bagel, often with cream cheese, onion, tomato, cucumber and capers...
/kerosene
Kerosene
Kerosene, sometimes spelled kerosine in scientific and industrial usage, also known as paraffin or paraffin oil in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Ireland and South Africa, is a combustible hydrocarbon liquid. The name is derived from Greek keros...
fuel instead of expensive and dangerous N2O4/UDMH
UDMH
Unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine is a toxic volatile hygroscopic clear liquid, with a sharp, fishy, ammoniacal smell typical for organic amines. It turns yellowish on exposure to air and absorbs oxygen and carbon dioxide. It mixes completely with water, ethanol, and kerosene. In concentration...
fuels used in previous Long March 2 rocket family. The new engines is borrowed from the engines developed for Long March 5, similar to Long March 6
Long March 6
The Long March 6 or Chang Zheng 6 as in pinyin, abbreviated LM-6 for export or CZ-6 within China, is a Chinese liquid-fuelled carrier rocket, which is being developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, and is scheduled to...
. The target is to build a more cost-effective and environment friendly rocket family to replace today's Long March 2 and potentially Long March 3
Long March 3
The Long March 3 , also known as the Chang Zheng 3, CZ-3 and LM-3, was a Chinese orbital carrier rocket. It was launched from Launch Complex 1 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre. It was a 3-stage rocket, and was mostly used to place DFH-2-class communications satellites into geosynchronous...
serial to satisfy both domestic and international launch market needs.
With payloads in the range of 10-20 tons cited, it is likely to be use two YF-100
YF-100
The YF-100 is currently China's most powerful LOX & kerosene rocket engine. Development began in the 2000s, with testing directed by the China National Space Administration commencing in 2005...
first-stage engines at the 1st core stage, while one YF-100
YF-100
The YF-100 is currently China's most powerful LOX & kerosene rocket engine. Development began in the 2000s, with testing directed by the China National Space Administration commencing in 2005...
engines of each of its 4 liquid rocket boosters.
Bradley Perrett from Aviation Week writes that the description of Long March 7 corresponds with the mid-sized launcher that the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology
China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology
The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology is the premier space launch vehicle manufacturer in China and one of the major launch service providers in the world. CALT is a subordinate of the larger China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation...
detailed in 2007. The configuration displayed then had the two K3 core modules, four K2 boosters and a special 3-meter-dia. module, H3, that would presumably be an optional third stage for missions beyond low Earth orbit. But the range of payloads quoted for Long March 7, 10-20 tons, shows that it would be built with a variety of booster combinations. A single YF-100 would presumably provide second-stage propulsion.