NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 2001-001A
Shenzhou 2 (translated as " Divine Ship", or "Magic Vessel", or God Vessel") is an unmanned Chinese (PRC) spacecraft that was launched by a Long March 2F rocket from Jiuquan launch center (in the north-western province of Gansu) at "01:00 a.m.". The descent module (also carrying the name, Shenzhou 2 but with ID 2001-001C) landed smoothly in Inner Mongolia on 16 January at 11:22 UT after separating from 2001-001A which continued to orbit, doing some zero-gravity experiments. The descent module is a prototype of an eventual manned spacecraft to carry Taikongyuans (astronauts). A major concern during this and the next few launches would be to assess the integrity of the heat shield during re-entry. So far, there has not been any report on the heat shield.
Launch Date: 2001-01-09
Launch Vehicle: Long March 2F
Launch Site: Jiuquan, Peoples Republic of China
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office