Preparations are under way at China's Jiuquan launch base for an unmanned orbital test flight of a manned spacecraft aboard an uprated Long March (LM) 2E booster unveiled by the Chinese Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.
A three-crew flight could take place in 1999 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. The uprated booster is designated the LM2EA and incorporates new larger liquid strap-on boosters which will enable the rocket's lifting capacity to low Earth orbit to be increased from 9,200kg to 12,000kg. The LM2EA may also be introduced into the commercial satellite launcher market and the man-rated version is expected to include a launch escape tower, a test of which is expected to take place at Jiuquan soon.
Source: Flight International
