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CASC · Operational · cn · Launch Vehicle

Long March 2F

China's crewed-mission launcher; flew Shenzhou 20 and 21 in 2025.

Verified 2026-06-17 · First flight 1999-11-19

Operator page

Systems cutaway

Systems
Long March 2F — systems cutaway schematicPropulsion
4× YF-20B engines + 4 strap-on boosters with YF-20B engines; UDMH/N2O4 hypergolic; 3,265 kN liftoff thrust; YF-24E S2.
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Life Support
Shenzhou spacecraft integration with abort tower; crew escape system; qualified for human spaceflight to Tiangong CSS.
src ↗
Long March 2F62 m
Propulsion

4× YF-20B engines + 4 strap-on boosters with YF-20B engines; UDMH/N2O4 hypergolic; 3,265 kN liftoff thrust; YF-24E S2.

Life Support

Shenzhou spacecraft integration with abort tower; crew escape system; qualified for human spaceflight to Tiangong CSS.

Specs & Metrics

Payload to LEO ↑ better
8,400 kg
Maximum payload mass deliverable to low Earth orbit (~200–400 km circular), in the vehicle's stated reference configuration.
Liftoff Thrust ↑ better
3265 kN
Total first-stage thrust at liftoff (sea-level), in kilonewtons, summing all active engines and solid strap-ons.
Liftoff Mass ↓ better
464 t
Total vehicle mass at liftoff including propellant, payload, and all stages, in metric tonnes.
Vehicle Height ↓ better
62 m
Full stack height at liftoff, in metres, including fairing or spacecraft.
Launches in 2025 ↑ better
2
Shenzhou 20 (Apr 24) and Shenzhou 21 (Nov 1)
Total number of launch attempts conducted in calendar year 2025 (Jan 1 – Dec 31 UTC).

Subsystems

propulsion

4× YF-20B engines + 4 strap-on boosters with YF-20B engines; UDMH/N2O4 hypergolic; 3,265 kN liftoff thrust; YF-24E S2.

life-support

Shenzhou spacecraft integration with abort tower; crew escape system; qualified for human spaceflight to Tiangong CSS.