Chang Zheng   CZ-8
 
 

China National Space Administration * China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) * China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)

 


       
CZ-8+

Left: Variant with solid-fuel boosters

The CZ-8 series of rockets is a modular launch vehicle family to replace the CZ-2, CZ-3 and CZ-4 series.
The vehicle is fueled by Kerosene and LOX and features a 3.35 m core with two YF-100 engines inherited from the CZ-7, current augmented with two optional liquid rocket boosters. The second stage is a cryogenic stage powered by two YZ-75 engines, which is inherited from the CZ-3.
 The  CZ-8+ can carry payloads of 4.5 t (700km SSE) or 2.8 t (GTO) into orbit.
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China is also developing a CZ-8 launch vehicle with a reusable first stages. The CZ-8 will adapt existing launcher designs for vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL). Core and booosters of the CZ-8 is based on the existing CZ-7. The second stage will be based on the 3-meter-diameter liquid hydrogen-liquid oxygen second stage of the Long March 3.
The core is equipped with landing legs as well as grid fins for attitude control.After the descent, the core, which remains firmly attached to the boosters, is braked by re-ignition of an engine and lands on its spread legs, including the boosters.