# Long March 2A

> Chinese orbital carrier rocket

**Wikidata**: [Q53700](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q53700)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_March_2A)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/long-march-2a

## Summary
The Long March 2A is a Chinese orbital carrier rocket that was part of the Long March 2 series of launch vehicles. It was developed and operated by China to place satellites into orbit, representing an early stage in China's space launch capabilities.

## Key Facts
- First flight: November 5, 1974
- Last flight: January 26, 1978
- Manufacturer: China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology
- Operator: China National Space Administration
- Launch site: Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
- Classification: Rocket model, subclass of Long March 2
- Country of origin: People's Republic of China
- Service duration: Approximately 3 years and 3 months
- Aliases: Chang Zheng 2A, CZ-2A, LM-2A, Changzheng-2A

### Q: What was the Long March 2A rocket used for?
A: The Long March 2A was used as an orbital carrier rocket to launch satellites into space for China's space program. It represented China's early efforts to develop independent space launch capabilities.

### Q: Who manufactured the Long March 2A?
A: The Long March 2A was manufactured by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, which is China's primary organization for developing and producing launch vehicles.

### Q: Where was the Long March 2A launched from?
A: The Long March 2A was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, which is China's first and primary space launch facility located in the Gobi desert.

## Why It Matters
The Long March 2A represents a significant milestone in China's space program development, marking the country's transition from experimental rocketry to operational orbital launch capabilities. As part of the Long March 2 family, it helped establish the foundation for China's modern space launch infrastructure and demonstrated the nation's growing technological independence in space access. The rocket's development and successful launches in the 1970s occurred during a crucial period when China was working to establish itself as a spacefaring nation, capable of placing its own satellites into orbit without relying on foreign launch services. This capability was strategically important for both civilian applications and national security interests, allowing China to deploy communications, weather, and reconnaissance satellites as needed.

## Notable For
- One of China's earliest operational orbital carrier rockets
- Part of the foundational Long March 2 family that continues to evolve today
- Operated during a critical period of China's space program development (1974-1978)
- Manufactured by China's premier launch vehicle technology institute
- Launched exclusively from China's primary spaceport, Jiuquan

## Body
### Development and Background
The Long March 2A emerged from China's strategic need to develop independent space launch capabilities during the Cold War era. As part of the broader Long March rocket family, it represented an evolution from earlier experimental designs toward more reliable orbital launch vehicles.

### Technical Specifications
While specific performance parameters are not detailed in the source material, the Long March 2A was designed as a liquid-fueled rocket capable of placing payloads into low Earth orbit. It shared design lineage with other members of the Long March 2 family, which became known for their reliability and versatility.

### Operational History
The rocket had a relatively short operational lifespan of approximately three years, conducting launches between November 1974 and January 1978. This period saw China establishing its orbital launch infrastructure and gaining experience with satellite deployment operations.

### Legacy and Impact
Although the Long March 2A itself was retired in 1978, it contributed to the knowledge base that enabled subsequent developments in China's launch vehicle technology. The experience gained from operating this rocket helped inform improvements in later Long March models, many of which remain in service today. The Jiuquan launch site, where all Long March 2A flights originated, continues to be a cornerstone of China's space launch capabilities.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/cz-2.htm)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013