Long March (rocket family)
The Long March rockets are a family of expendable launch system rockets operated by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
The rockets are named after the Chinese Red Army's 1934–35 Long March military retreat during the Chinese Civil War.
Long March 1
Long March 1 engine
Long March 2F is the only human-rated launch vehicle of the Long March family.
Three engines using three different combination of propellants. From left to right: YF-20 using N2O4 and UDMH, YF-100 using LOX and kerosene, YF-77 using LOX and LH2
An expendable launch system is a launch vehicle that can be launched only once, after which its components are either destroyed during reentry or discarded in space. ELVs typically consist of several rocket stages that are discarded sequentially as their fuel is exhausted and the vehicle gains altitude and speed. As of 2024, less and less satellites and human spacecraft are launched on ELVs in favor of reusable launch vehicles. However, there are many instances where a ELV may still have a compelling use case over a reusable vehicle. ELVs are simpler in design than reusable launch systems and therefore may have a lower production cost. Furthermore, an ELV can use its entire fuel supply to accelerate its payload, offering greater payloads. ELVs are proven technology in widespread use for many decades.
H-IIA F19 launch
H-II Transfer Vehicle
Shavit launcher
Image: Delta IV launch 2013 08 28