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To: Brett66
Speculation centers on whether this test shot, if fully successful, might be a prelude to a manned Shenzhou 4 mission.

The number "4" is unlucky for the Chinese. I wonder if they would really put their first man on a vehicle with a "4" on it.

4 posted on 03/14/2002 8:20:21 AM PST by Question_Assumptions
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To: all
I believe this is the launcher family that's described in the linked article:

The CZ-5-5.0 heavy launcher would use the 5.0 m core stage together with a number of modular 2.25 m or 3.35 m diameter stages as strap-ons. Maximum payload with four 3.35 m diameter strap-ons is given as 23 tonnes to low earth orbit or 11 tonnes to geosynchronous transfer orbit. Lower payloads could be achieved by using 2 x 2.25 m plus 2 x 3.35 m strap-on stages; four x 2.25 m strap-on stages, or two of either stage. Growth to 40 tonnes payload would be possible if eight 3.35 m strap-ons could be used. The CZ-5 core stage is similar in dimensions and mass to the Ariane 5 core, but powered by four engines instead of the single engine used in Ariane. More about these launchers can be found here:

CZ-5-5.0

5 posted on 03/14/2002 8:41:48 AM PST by Brett66
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