The "Long-March" CZ-2F carrier rocket that launched manned Shenzhou V spacecraft has adopted 55 new technologies, including fault detection and treatment and escape systems, said a Chinese rocket expert.
Huang Chunping, commander-in-chief of the rocket system of China's manned spaceflight program, said that the fault detection system would automatically detect and diagnose any fault in the initial stage of the flight and inform the escape system, which would, in turn, separate the spaceship from the rocket to ensure the safety of the astronaut.
He said that for the first time the rocket is assembled and tested and the combination of the spaceship, rocket and platform is transported in the vertical position.
To improve the reliability of the launch, dual guidance and stability control systems have been adopted on the "Long-March" CZ-2F carrier rocket, said Sun Ningsheng, deputy chief designer of the rocket system.
Development of "Long-March" CZ-2F carrier rocket, intended mainly for spaceship launch, began in 1992. It is the most sophisticated and most reliable type of carrier rocket developed in China.
(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2003)
