【August 25, 2014, CMSP News】Recently, China's Long March 7 (CZ-7) launch vehicle passed the booster separation test at Tianjin Test Facility. The success of the test proved the design of the boosters is valid and feasible.
 

Figure: CZ-7 Launch Vehicle Passed Booster Separation Test (Image Credit: CASC)

The booster of Long March 7 launch vehicle, over 20 meters in length, is one of the longest 2.25m-diameter boosters. The booster adopts advanced booster and core stage strap-on technology and is powered by an indigenous LOX/kerosene engine with 120 metric tons of thrust. The technical performance of the booster has caught up with the advanced international level.  

In 2011, CZ-7 rocket transited into the prototype stage. In 2013, the rocket completed integrated assembly of boosters for the first time and conducted two firing tests for the booster's power system. Following that, a joint modal test for the rocket and  cargo vehicle was implemented and two firing tests for the core stage power system were carried out. The rocket is planned to move to the prototype development stage in early 2015. 

CZ-7 launch vehicle is China's new-generation medium carrier rocket designed to launch cargo vehicles during the construction of China's manned space station project. Compared with the present rockets, CZ-7 launch vehicle has improved by using non-toxic and pollution-free propellant. It has a lift capability of sending 13.5 tons of payload to low earth orbit, or 5.5 tons of payload to sun-synchronous orbit. (By Yu Yanjuan)