Shenzhou-4
This mission is complete.
Vehicle
Long March 2F
Profile →The Long March 10A is a human-rated launch vehicle designed to replace the current Long March 2F, along with the Low Earth Orbit version of China's Mengzhou crewed spacecraft, as their...
Provider
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
Profile →CHN • Founded 1999
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufactu...
Mission Brief
Fourth and final test flight of the Shenzhou spacecraft, without crew on board. The spacecraft was flown in the same configuration as a crew-carrying mission, and as such two dummy astronauts were carried on board, as are sleeping bags, food and medication. The control systems were fitted with ability for manual control and emergency landing. The windows were constructed of a new material that was designed to stay clear even after reentry to allow an astronaut to confirm that the parachutes have deployed properly. The spacecraft carried 100 peony seeds to investigate the effect of weightlessness on plants grown from them. The 52 experiments onboard investigated areas in physics, biology, medicine, earth observation, material science, and astronomy.
Mission Timeline
14 / 14100%Launch Site
Launch Area 91 (SLS-1 / 921), Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Schedule History
No delays or schedule changes recorded.
