# Long March 4A

> Chinese rocket

**Wikidata**: [Q54178](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q54178)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_March_4A)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/long-march-4a

## Summary
The Long March 4A is a Chinese rocket model developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology and operated by the China National Space Administration. It was the first member of the Long March 4 family of launch vehicles, making its debut flight on September 6, 1988, and serving until September 3, 1990.

## Key Facts
- First flight: September 6, 1988
- Service retirement: September 3, 1990
- Manufacturer: China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology
- Operator: China National Space Administration
- Country of origin: People's Republic of China
- Aliases: LM-4A, CZ-4A, Changzheng-4A, Chang Zheng 4A
- Instance of: rocket model
- Subclass of: Long March 4
- Wikipedia languages: 10 languages including English, Russian, and Chinese
- Commons category: Long March 4A

## FAQs
### Q: What was the Long March 4A rocket used for?
A: The Long March 4A was a Chinese launch vehicle used for orbital missions, serving as the first member of the Long March 4 family of rockets developed by China for space launches.

### Q: Who manufactured the Long March 4A?
A: The Long March 4A was manufactured by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, a state-owned aerospace manufacturer in China.

### Q: How long was the Long March 4A in service?
A: The Long March 4A was in service for approximately two years, from its first flight on September 6, 1988, until its retirement on September 3, 1990.

## Why It Matters
The Long March 4A represents a significant milestone in China's space program as the first rocket in the Long March 4 family. Its development marked China's advancement in creating more sophisticated launch vehicles capable of carrying heavier payloads to orbit. As a predecessor to later Long March 4 variants, it helped establish the technological foundation for China's growing capabilities in satellite deployment and space exploration. The rocket demonstrated China's increasing self-reliance in space technology and contributed to the nation's strategic goals in space, including Earth observation, communications, and scientific research. Though it had a relatively short service life, the Long March 4A's development and flight experience provided valuable data that informed the design of subsequent, more capable launch vehicles in the Long March series.

## Notable For
- First member of the Long March 4 family of Chinese launch vehicles
- Operated by the China National Space Administration, China's national space agency
- Developed during a period of rapid advancement in China's space capabilities
- Served as a technological bridge to more advanced Long March 4 variants
- Represented China's growing expertise in liquid-fueled rocket technology

## Body
### Development and Background
The Long March 4A was developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) as part of China's broader efforts to establish reliable access to space. It was designed to meet the growing demand for launch services for both civilian and military satellites.

### Technical Specifications
As a member of the Long March 4 family, the 4A variant featured a three-stage design using storable propellant technology. While specific payload capacities are not detailed in the source material, it was capable of placing satellites into various orbits, including low Earth orbit and sun-synchronous orbit.

### Operational History
The rocket had a brief operational career spanning just under two years. During this time, it completed several launches, though the exact number is not specified in the available sources. Its service period from 1988 to 1990 coincided with China's increasing participation in the international space community.

### Legacy and Successors
The Long March 4A was succeeded by improved variants in the Long March 4 family, including the Long March 4B and 4C. These later models incorporated lessons learned from the 4A's development and operations, offering enhanced performance and reliability. The 4A's development contributed to China's growing expertise in liquid-fueled rocket technology and helped establish the foundation for the country's modern launch vehicle capabilities.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/cz-4.htm)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013