Tag: Yao

  • What Does “Y” Mean in Chinese Rocket Designations?

    What Does “Y” Mean in Chinese Rocket Designations?

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    Whenever China launches a rocket, its name often includes the Chinese character “遥” (Yao, Y). Examples include the Long March 2F Y23, Long March 5 Y6, and Zhuque-3 Y2 launch vehicles. So what exactly does “Y” mean, and where did this naming convention come from? “Y” is short for “Yaoce” (遥测, telemetry), and its origins…