CZ-6 (Chang Zheng-6)

CZ-6 (Flight 1) [Xinhua]

CZ-6 (Qilu 1, 4) [Xinhua]

CZ-6A (Tiankun 2, Pujiang 2) [Chinaspaceflight]

The CZ-6 (Chang Zheng-6), also known as LM-6 (Long March-6), is a small liquid fueled launch vehicle in the CZ-5, -6 and -7 family.

The launch vehicle was developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.

CZ-6 features a 3.35 m diameter first stage fueled with LOX and Kerosene and powered by one YF-100 engine. Originally the vehicle was to be based on the 2.25 m small strap on of the CZ-5 family, but was changed to the 3.35 m diameter of the bigger booster and the CZ-7 family, although shorter and using only one instead of two engines.

The second stage has the smaller 2.25 m diameter and uses the same fuels with one YF-115 engine.

A restartable third stage reportedly uses the storable combination of Kerosene and Hydrogen peroxide. With four YF-85 engines it provides final orbit trim and can manoeuvre to different orbits to deploy multiple satellites.

CZ-6 can deliver 1500 kg into a low earth orbit or 1080 kg into a 700 km sun synchronous orbit.

Taiyuan is used as a launch site for the maiden launch in 2015, although later the new Wenchang cosmodrome will also be used.

An improved CZ-6A (Chang Zheng-6A) is planned to be introduced during the 13th Five Year Plan (2016-2020). It features 4 strap-on boosters of 1 m diameter, a lengthened stage one, a new stage two with the same diameter as stage one. It is planned to put up to 4000 kg into a sun-synchronous orbit.