Chinese orbital launches currently originate from one of three launch sites, the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center (TSLC), the Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC), and the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC).
A CZ-2F rocket launched the first Chinese astronaut, Yang Liwei, into space on 15 October 2003. With this mission, the Chinese became the third country to launch a human into orbit.
Left to right: CZ-2C, CZ-2D, CZ-2E, CZ-2F, CZ-2F/G, CZ-3, CZ-3A, CZ-3B, CZ-3C, CZ-4B, Human figure for scale (1.8m tall).
CZ-2 rockets are a series of hypergolic fueled satellite launchers. The rockets are typically two-stage, with some versions having four strap-on boosters. The CZ-2F version was the first Chinese rocket to launch humans into space.
CZ-2 rockets are sometimes referred to as Chang Zheng 2, Long March 2, or LM-2.
The CZ-2C is a satellite launcher first flown in 1975. The first and second stages both use N2O4 and UDMH as propellants.
The rocket remains in service and several future missions are planned.
The CZ-2D is a two-stage satellite launcher first flown in 1996. Both stages use N2O4 and UDMH as propellants.
Eleven successful CZ-2D missions have flown. The rocket remains in service and several future missions are planned.
The CZ-2E launcher is a two-stage rocket with four strap-on boosters. Both stages, as well as the boosters, use N2O4 and UDMH as propellants.
The first test flight of the CZ-2E occurred in 1990. The rocket flew seven missions, two of which failed. The rocket last flew in 1995 and is no longer in service.
Developed from the CZ-2E launcher, the CZ-2F is used to support the Chinese human spaceflight effort. The primary payload has been the Shenzhou spacecraft.
The CZ-2F launcher is a two-stage rocket with four strap-on boosters. Both stages use N2O4 and UDMH as propellants. All CZ-2F flights are launched from Jiuquan launch center in Gansu province.
| Name | Launch Date | Rocket | Orbits | Crew | Mission Objective |
| Shenzhou 1 | 19NOV1999 | CZ-2F | 14 | 0 | Test flight of Shenzhou capsule. |
| Shenzhou 2 | 9JAN2001 | CZ-2F | 117 | 0 | Test flight of Shenzhou capsule. |
| Shenzhou 3 | 25MAR2002 | CZ-2F | 107 | 0 | Test flight of Shenzhou capsule. |
| Shenzhou 4 | 29DEC2002 | CZ-2F | 108 | 0 | Test flight of Shenzhou capsule. |
| Shenzhou 5 | 15OCT2003 | CZ-2F | 14 | 1 | First Chinese human orbital flight |
| Shenzhou 6 | 12OCT2005 | CZ-2F | 75 | 2 | Orbital flight with two crewmembers. |
| Shenzhou 7 | 25SEP2008 | CZ-2F | 11 | 3 | First Chinese space walk. Three person crew. |
| Shenzhou 8 | 31OCT2011 | CZ-2F | - | 0 | Unmanned test flight including automatic rendezvous and docking with Tiangong 1. |
Developed from the CZ-2E launcher, the CZ-2F/G is used to support the Chinese human spaceflight effort. The CZ-2F/G rocket first flew on 29 September 2011. The launch was successful and delivered the Tiangong 1 space station module to orbit.
The CZ-2F/G launcher is a two-stage rocket with four strap-on boosters. Both stages use N2O4 and UDMH as propellants. CZ-2F rockets are launched from Jiuquan launch center in Gansu province.
| Payload | Launch Date | Rocket | Mission Notes |
| Tiangong 1 | 29SEP2011 | CZ-2F/G | Test module for Chinese space station program. |
CZ-3 rockets are a series of three-stage geosynchronous satellite launchers. Larger versions of the series can use two or four strap-on boosters. The first two stages, as well as the strap-on boosters when present, are fueled with hypergolic propellants. Third stages are cryogenically fueled.
CZ-3 rockets are sometimes referred to as Chang Zheng 3, Long March 3, or LM-3.
The three-stage CZ-3 rocket first flew in 1984. The last launch occurred in 2000.
The CZ-3A rocket first flew in 1994. The rocket is still in service.
The CZ-3B rocket first flew in 1996. The three-stage rocket includes four strap-on boosters.
An improved version, known as the CZ-3B/E first flew in 2007. Both the CZ-3B and CZ-3B/E models are still in service.
The CZ-3C rocket first flew in 2008. The three-stage rocket includes two strap-on boosters.
The rocket is still in service.
CZ-4 rockets are a series of three-stage satellite launchers. The first CZ-4 flew in 1988.
CZ-4 rockets are sometimes referred to as Chang Zheng 4, Long March 4, or LM-4.
The CZ-4B first flew in 2004.
Images by Richard Kruse are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.