Space Launch NowUpcoming Launches
All upcoming launchesLoading launches
China Aerospace Science and Technology CorporationLaunch SuccessfulSpacecraft landing failedLong March 2F
Launched 2001-01-09 17:00:03 UTCLaunch Area 91 (SLS-1 / 921), Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Mission
Reached Low Earth Orbit
Spacecraft landing failed
Landing failed
Worldwide
1st
orbital launch attempt in 2001
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
1st
launch this year
Launch Area 91 (SLS-1 / 921)
1st
launch from this pad this year
Pad turnaround
416 d 18 h
since the pad's previous launch
Second test flight of the Shenzhou spacecraft, without crew on board. A monkey, a dog, and a rabbit were carried in a test of the spaceship's life support systems. There were also 64 different scientific payloads, including a microgravity crystallography experiment; animal species including six mice, small aquatic and terrestrial organisms; cosmic ray and particle detectors and gamma-ray burst detectors. To test the radio transmitting systems taped messages were broadcast from the spacecraft.
During return to Earth the parachutes failed to open upon re-entry, which resulted in a hard landing of the descent capsule.
Launch Provider
Government · China · Founded 1999 · Chairman & President Lei Fanpei
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) 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 equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.
Launches
621
Successful
605
97%
Landings
1
of 2
Upcoming
7
scheduled
Height
62m
Diameter
3.4m
To low Earth orbit
8,400kg
Liftoff thrust
5,985kN
Space Launch Now for iOS and Android
Follow China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation to hear when findings come out and when Long March 2F flies next.
Shenzhou 24CASC · Long March 2F/G · Launch Area 91 (SLS-1 / 921), Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of ChinaLow Earth OrbitTo be determinedTime TBDNET
Flight 2CASC · Long March 12A · Long March 12 series Pad, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of ChinaLow Earth OrbitTo be determinedNET 2026