China Space Exploration

Author: Chen Bingwen / et al.
Editor-in-Chief: Liu Dengrui / et al.
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1998-10-01
Features:
Fragment: Imitation was aimed at saving time and shortening the exploration process. At the same time, the Soviet government also expressed willingness to provide assistance in missile technology. First, China sent several batches of students to the Soviet Union to study missile-related fields. Second, the Soviet government agreed to provide two samples of P-1 teaching-use missiles. While receiving Soviet technical assistance and cooperation, China also worked hard to establish its own research and development team to explore a development path for missile technology suitable for its national conditions. This research and development team included organizers and leaders of the missile industry, technical pioneers in various fields, a batch of technical backbones trained by New China itself, and a group of experienced and skilled technical workers. They were full of ambition, worked hard, conducted in-depth research, dared to innovate, and were determined to dedicate their lives to China's missile industry. With the research and development team in place, the imitation work was guaranteed to proceed in an orderly manner. After June 1958, in accordance with the Sino-Soviet New Technology Agreement, the Soviet Union gradually transported P-2 missile physical samples, technical drawings, process specifications, and tooling and dies. It also sent a batch of technical experts to assist China in imitation production. The P-2 short-range surface-to-surface missile consists of a warhead, a missile body, a propulsion system, and a guidance and attitude control system. The missile is 17.7 meters long, with a maximum diameter of 1.65 meters, a launch mass of 20.5 tons, and a range of 590 kilometers. The rocket engine uses liquid oxygen and alcohol as propellants, with a thrust of 37 tons. The control system adopts a hybrid guidance method combining inertial and radio cross-deviation correction. The entire weapon system consists of the missile and its supporting equipment.