Long March 12A
Active Re-UsableChina Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)
Dec. 23, 2025
Description
Long March 12A/Changzheng 12A (LM-12A/CZ-12A) is a reusable orbital launch vehicle developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) of the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). The rocket is based on the Long March 12, but extensively re-designed for first stage re-usability, and use of gas generator cycle methane/liquid oxygen powered rocket engines in both stages. The first stage uses 7 Longyun-70 engines designed and manufactured by the private company Jiuzhou Yunjian (JZYJ), while the second stage uses 1 YF-209V engine from CASC's Academy of Aerospace Liquid Propulsion Technology (AALPT). On launch missions where the first stage is recovered, it will land on a down-range landing pad located in Minqin County, Gansu Province.
Specifications
-
Stages
2 -
Length
69.0 m -
Diameter
3.8 m -
Fairing Diameter
4.2 m -
Launch Mass
― -
Thrust
5250.0 kN
Family
-
Name
Long March 12A -
Family
― -
Variant
― -
Alias
CZ-12A -
Full Name
Long March 12A
Payload Capacity
-
Launch Cost
― -
Low Earth Orbit
12000.0 kg -
Geostationary Transfer
Orbit
― -
Direct Geostationary
― -
Sun-Synchronous Capacity
7300.0 kg
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
Government
Chairman & President: Lei Fanpei
CASC 1999The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.
Upcoming Spaceflights
Long March 12A | Flight 2
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | ChinaJiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
TBD August, 2026
Long March 12A | Demo Flight
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | ChinaJiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
Dec. 23, 2025, 2 a.m.
Smart Dragon 3
OSE HS-01 & 02
Haiyang offshore launch location - Haiyang Oriental Spaceport2 hyper-spectral Earth observation satellites from Chinese company STAR.VISION. Both satellites are built in corporation with foreign customers: *…
Falcon 9
Starlink Group 17-53
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USAA batch of 24 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.
Long March 8A
SatNet LEO Group 23
Commercial LC-1 - Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of ChinaA batch of 9 Low Earth Orbit communication satellites for the Chinese state owned SatNet constellation operated by the China Satellite Network Group.…
Falcon 9
Starlink Group 17-52
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USAA batch of 24 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.
Falcon 9
NROL-95
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USAClassified payload for the US National Reconnaissance Office.
