CZ-5 - CZ-5B/YZ-2

Description:

CZ-5 at Wenchang Launch site

The CZ-5 is China´s new generation heavy-lift space launcher, comparable in performance to the European Ariane 5 and the U.S. Delta IV Heavy. The launcher is designed to loft large commercial satellites, space station modules, and deep space probes. The CZ-5 programme gained governmental approval in June 2004, with the aim to introduce a heavy-load orbital launch vehicle capable of delivering 14 tonnes of payload to the geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), or 25 tonnes to the low Earth orbit (LEO). The primary contractor is CALT, with the participation of SAST to produce some components of the rocket.

Original Concept:

• The CZ-5 uses a 5 m diameter core stage powered by two LOX/LH2 YF-77 engines, each rated at 509.6 kN at sea-level. The four 3.35 m diameter strap-on boosters are each powered by two LOX/Kerosene YF-100 engines, each rated at 1,179 kN. The upper stage on the core vehicle is powered by two LOX/LH2 YF-75D engines. This configuration is used for GTO launch missions, with a maximum payload capacity of 14 t. The payload fairing is 5.2 m in diameter and 12.5 m in length. The CZ-5B variant without the upper stage will be used to launch modules of the space station Tiangong, with a LEO payload capacity of 25 t.

Rendering of LM 5 and 5B	Version CZ-5 CZ-5B Boosters 4 × (CZ-5-300, 2 × YF-100) 4 × (CZ-5-300, 2 × YF-100) First stage CZ-5-500, 2 × YF-77 CZ-5-500, 2 × YF-77 Second stage CZ-5-HO, 2 × YF-75D — Third stage (optional) Yuanzheng-2 Yuanzheng-2 Thrust (at ground) 10.62 MN 10.62 MN Launch weight 851,800 kg 837,500 kg Height 56.97 m 53.66 m Payload (LEO 200 km) — ~25,000 kg Payload (GTO) 14,000 kg —

Specifications CZ-5:

General features        CZ-5          CZ-5B
---------------------------------------------
Core stages.............2             1
Strap-on boosters.......4             4
Length..................56.97 m       53.70 m
Diameter................5 m           5 m
Mass, gross.............869 t         837.5 t
Mass, empty.............N/A           N/A
Lift-off thrust.........10,572 kN     10,572 kN
Payload to GTO..........14 t          
Payload to LEO........................22 t

First-stage
---------------------------------------------
Length..................31.02 m
Diameter................5.00 m
Mass, gross.............175.8 t
Mass, empty.............17.8 t
Mass, propellants.......158 t
Engine..................2 x YF-77
Thrust..................1,400 kN (sea-level)
Isp.....................N/A
Burn time...............N/A
Propellants.............LOX / LH2

Strap-on boosters
----------------------------------------------
Length..................26.28 m
Diameter................3.25 m
Mass, gross.............147 t
Mass, empty.............12 t
Mass, propellants.......135 t
Engine..................2 x YF-100
Thrust..................2,680 kN (sea-level)
Isp.....................N/A
Burn time...............N/A
Propellants.............Lox / Kerosene

Second-stage
----------------------------------------------
Length..................12.00 m
Diameter................5.00 m
Mass, gross.............26 t
Mass, empty.............3.1 t
Mass, propellants.......N/A
Engine..................2 x YF-75D
Thrust..................156 kN (vacuum)
Isp.....................N/A
Burn time...............N/A
Propellants.............LOX / LH2

Launch List:

External links:

• Sinodefence.com: Rocket Information
• Wikipedia Rocket description