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CZ-NGLV

CZ NGLV

CZ NGLV
Credit: (c) Mark Wade

China's family of new generation expendable launch vehicles began development in 2000 with first flight from a new launch center in Hainanin 2016. Boosters of various capabilities were assembled from three modular stages of 2.25 m, 3.35 m and 5.0 m diameter. These would be powered by new variable-thrust 120 metric ton thrust LOx/Kerosene engines or 50 metric ton thrust LOx/LH2 engines.

Status: Operational 2016.

The launch vehicles were first announced in February 2001, and modified descriptions were provided at the Wuzhai Air Show and IAC in late 2002. Propulsion system details and masses were released at the FAI in Bremen in September 2003. These modular stages were as follows:

The new launch vehicles were designed for a 98% reliability as compared to 91% for existing Chinese designs. They were also expected to be 20% cheaper than existing designs. Chief Designer for the new series was Long Lehao.

The new family would use a unique 'direct-to-pad' integration concept using highly automated systems with a total cycle time of only 20 days. The launch vehicle was to be assembled vertically on the launch pad as soon as the stages arrived at the site. It would be checked out in a mobile service tower (MST). In parallel to this the payload would be integrated and encapsulated in a separate encapsulation facility. The encapsulated payload was to be transferred and mated to the launch vehicle only three days before launch.



Subtopics

CZ-7 Null

CZ-NGLV-540 Chinese orbital launch vehicle. The 540 configuration for the Long March New Generation Launch Vehicle series would use the 5.0 m diameter core stage with four 2.25 m diameter stages as strap-ons. Payload was given as 10 metric tons to low earth orbit. A standard short 5.2 m diameter fairing tops the vehicle. Version dropped together with the 2.25 m booster module.

CZ-NGLV-522 Chinese orbital launch vehicle. The 522 configuration for the Long March New Generation Launch Vehicle series would use the 5.0 m diameter core stage with 2 x 2.25 m plus 2 x 3.35 m strap-on stages. Payload is estimated as 18-20 metric tons to low earth orbit. Version dropped together with the 2.25 m booster module.

CZ-NGLV-522/HO Chinese orbital launch vehicle. The 522/HO was the 'all up' baseline configuration for the Long March New Generation Launch Vehicle series. It would use the 5.0 m core stage, topped by the 5.0 m upper stage, together with 2 x 2.25 m plus 2 x 3.35 m strap-on stages. It was announced in 2003 that it would be first to fly, with a launch before the Beijing Olympics in 2008. It would be used for launch of large communications satellites. Payload is estimated as 10-12 metric tons to geosynchronous transfer orbit. Version dropped together with the 2.25 m booster module.

CZ-6 Null

CZ-NGLV-200 Chinese orbital launch vehicle. The Long March New Generation Launch Vehicle series small launcher would use the 2.25 m diameter module as the first stage and a single upper stage of the same diameter. Payload was given as 1.5 metric tons into low earth orbit. First launch was expected after 2008. Although the configuration was not shown at the Wuzhai Air Show in 2002 it re-emerged at the FAI in 2003. It seemed to be in competition with the all-solid-propellant KT-1, KT-2, and KT-2A series. Version dropped together with the 2.25 m booster module and replaced with the CZ-6, which combined a shortened 3.35 m booster module and the 2.25 m diameter upper stage.

CZ-5 Null

CZ-5B Null

CZ-NGLV-540/HO Chinese orbital launch vehicle. The 540/HO configuration for the Long March New Generation Launch Vehicle series would use the 5.0 m core stage, topped by the 5.0 m upper stage, together with 4 x 2.25 m strap-on stages. First flight of this version was expected after 2010. Payload was given as 6 metric tons to geosynchronous transfer orbit. This version was no longer mentioned when by 2016.

Family: orbital launch vehicle. Country: China. Spacecraft: Kaituo, Pujiang, Cubesat, Chinese Space Laboratory. Agency: CALT. Bibliography: 424, 566, 581, 582.
Photo Gallery

CZ FamilyCZ Family
Credit: © Mark Wade



2000 September 21 - . LV Family: CZ-NGLV. Launch Vehicle: CZ-NGLV-320.
2015 September 19 - . 23:01 GMT - . Launch Site: Taiyuan. Launch Complex: Taiyuan LC16. LV Family: CZ-NGLV. Launch Vehicle: Chang Zheng 6.
2016 June 25 - . 12:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Wenchang. Launch Complex: Wenchang LC201. LV Family: CZ-NGLV. Launch Vehicle: Chang Zheng 7.
2016 November 3 - . 12:43 GMT - . Launch Site: Wenchang. Launch Complex: Wenchang LC101. LV Family: CZ-NGLV. Launch Vehicle: Chang Zheng 5.
2017 April 20 - . 11:40 GMT - . Launch Site: Wenchang. Launch Complex: Wenchang LC201. LV Family: CZ-NGLV. Launch Vehicle: Chang Zheng 7.
2017 July 2 - . 11:22 GMT - . Launch Site: Wenchang. Launch Complex: Wenchang LC101. LV Family: CZ-NGLV. Launch Vehicle: Chang Zheng 5.
2017 November 21 - . 04:49 GMT - . Launch Site: Taiyuan. Launch Complex: Taiyuan LC16. LV Family: CZ-NGLV. Launch Vehicle: Chang Zheng 6.

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