Long March 2F/G | Shenzhou-8 & Shenzhou-8-GC
Launch Area 4 (SLS-1 / 921)
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
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China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
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.
Shenzhou-8 & Shenzhou-8-GC
This is the first docking mission for China's Shenzhou program. Being the first spacecraft to visit the Tiangong-1 space station, it was launched without crew to demonstrate spacecraft rendezvous and docking techniques. The spacecraft docked automatically to the station on 2 November 2011. A second undocking and re-docking to test accuracy and reliability of equipment and sensors in a bright environment was performed on 14 November 2011. Shenzhou 8 undocked on 17 November 2011 and landed safely back on Earth the same day.
Shenzhou 8
Serial 8
Launch Crew Count 0
Status Single Use
Landing Time 2011-11-17T11:32:00+0000
Long March 2F/G
Height 62.00 Meters
Max Stages 2
Mass To GTO 0 kg
Liftoff Thrust 0 kN
Diameter 3.35 Meters
Mass To LEO 8399 kg
Liftoff Mass 464 Tonnes
Launch Success 17
Consecutive Success 17
Maiden Flight 2011-10-31
Launch Failures 0
Programs
Shenzhou
The Shenzhou program is a crewed spaceflight initiative by China. The program put the first Chinese citizen, Yang Liwei, into orbit on 15 October 2003.
