# Shenzhou 3

> 2002 Chinese uncrewed spaceflight

**Wikidata**: [Q677820](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q677820)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenzhou_3)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/shenzhou-3

## Summary
Shenzhou 3 was a 2002 Chinese uncrewed spaceflight as part of China's manned space program, launched on March 25, 2002 and landing on April 1, 2002.

## Key Facts
- It was a Chinese uncrewed spaceflight launched on March 25, 2002 and landing on April 1, 2002.
- It was part of the China Manned Space Program and operated by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
- The launch vehicle was the Long March 2F rocket.
- It completed 107 orbits of Earth.
- It followed Shenzhou 2 and was followed by Shenzhou 4.
- The launch and landing occurred at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
- Its COSPAR ID was 2002-014A.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Shenzhou 3?
A: It was an uncrewed test flight as part of China's manned space program, launched to test spacecraft systems before crewed missions.

### Q: When did Shenzhou 3 launch and land?
A: It launched on March 25, 2002 from Jiuquan and landed on April 1, 2002.

### Q: What was the launch vehicle for Shenzhou 3?
A: The Long March 2F rocket was used to launch Shenzhou 3.

## Why It Matters
Shenzhou 3 was a critical uncrewed test mission in China's manned space program, serving as an important step toward human spaceflight. The mission demonstrated the capabilities of the Shenzhou spacecraft and Long March 2F launch vehicle, providing valuable data and experience that contributed to the eventual success of crewed missions like Shenzhou 5. It represented China's continued advancement in space technology and its goal of establishing a permanent human presence in space.

## Notable For
- It was the third mission in China's Shenzhou spacecraft program
- It completed 107 orbits of Earth during its mission
- It served as a test flight before crewed missions
- It was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
- It was operated by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

## Body
### Technical Specifications
Shenzhou 3 was an uncrewed spacecraft designed as part of China's Shenzhou program. The mission launched on March 25, 2002 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center using a Long March 2F launch vehicle. The spacecraft orbited Earth for approximately 7 days, completing 107 orbits before landing on April 1, 2002.

### Mission Objectives
The primary objectives of Shenzhou 3 included testing the spacecraft's systems and capabilities in preparation for future crewed missions. The mission served as a critical test of the spacecraft's life support systems, thermal control, and orbital maneuvering capabilities.

### Technical Details
- COSPAR ID: 2002-014A
- Launch Vehicle: Long March 2F
- Operator: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
- Program: China Manned Space Program
- Orbit: Low Earth orbit
- Duration: Approximately 7 days

### Significance in Space Program
Shenzhou 3 represented an important milestone in China's space program, demonstrating the country's capability to conduct complex space missions independently. The successful launch and landing provided confidence for the upcoming crewed missions and contributed to China's position as a major spacefaring nation.

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## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013