Long March 12B
Active Re-UsableChina Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)
June 1, 2026
Description
Long March 12B/Changzheng 12B (LM-12B/CZ-12B) is a reusable orbital launch vehicle developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Commercial Launch Vehicle Group (CACL), a subsidiary company 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 kerosene/liquid oxygen powered rocket engines in both stages. The first stage uses 9 YF-102R engines and the second stage uses 1 YF-102V engine, both 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
72.0 m -
Diameter
4.37 m -
Fairing Diameter
― -
Launch Mass
― -
Thrust
7940.0 kN
Family
-
Name
Long March 12B -
Family
― -
Variant
― -
Alias
CZ-12B -
Full Name
Long March 12B
Payload Capacity
-
Launch Cost
― -
Low Earth Orbit
20000.0 kg -
Geostationary Transfer
Orbit
― -
Direct Geostationary
― -
Sun-Synchronous Capacity
15000.0 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.
Long March 12B | Demo Flight (SpaceSail Polar Group #10)
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | ChinaJiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
June 1, 2026, 8:40 a.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:
First test launch of CASC/CACL’s Long March 12B rocket; carried a batch of 2 operational Low Earth Orbit communication satellites with Ku, Q and V band payloads for the G60 constellation operated by Shanghai Spacesail Technologies with funding backed by the Shanghai local government. Initial constellation will consist of 1296 satellites by 2027 with long term plans to expand it to 12000 satellites.
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