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