110 Long March Rockets to be Launched in 5 Years

SOURCE: Xinhua UPDATED: 2016-03-10

BEIJING, March 2 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese rocket scientist said Wednesday that 110 China-made Long March rockets will take to the skies over the next five years, as more models are developed.

Liang Xiaohong, member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee and a former head of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, said the past decade witnessed a rapid increase in the number of Long March rockets launched.

From 2011 to 2015, 86 Long March rockets were launched, and from 2006 to 2010 the number was 48, Liang said before the country's political advisory body convenes its annual session.

The increasing launches within the five-year time frame showed that China's capacity in rocket design, production and management have been improved significantly, Liang said.

In addition, the next-generation Long March 5 heavy lift rocket and medium Long March 7 will debut this year, and the heavy carrier rocket system is in development, Liang said.