A Long March 2F launched Shenzhou 2 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 1700 UTC on January 9. Shenzhou 2 was launched into a 197 km (106 nmi) by 335 km (181 nmi) orbit, inclined at 42.58 degrees with a period of 89.83 minutes. It was a chilly morning at the launch site, with a temperature of minus 13°C (9°F). The test flight is expected to last between five and seven days depending on how smoothly the tests go. The launch vehicle was build by China Great Wall Industries.