The Long March 12 (Chinese: 长征十二号运载火箭; pinyin: Chang Zheng 12, abbreviated LM-12 for export or CZ-12 within China), is a Chinese medium-lift launch vehicle carrier rocket. The manufacturer is Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology. It is capable of placing at least 12 tonnes (26,000 lb) of payload in low Earth orbit and at least 6 tonnes (13,000 lb) in a 700 kilometres (430 mi) Sun-synchronous orbit. Its first launch took place on November 30, 2024 from the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Site on Hainan island.[2][3]
 Rendering of a Long March 12 | |
| Function | Medium-lift launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology |
| Country of origin | China |
| Size | |
| Height | 62 m (203 ft 5 in) |
| Diameter | 3.8 m (12 ft 6 in) |
| Mass | 433 t (954,602 lb) |
| Stages | 2 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to LEO | |
| Altitude | 200 km (120 mi) |
| Mass | 12,000 kg (26,000 lb) |
| Payload to LEO | |
| Altitude | 300 km (190 mi) |
| Mass | 10,000 kg (22,000 lb) |
| Payload to SSO | |
| Altitude | 700 km (430 mi) |
| Mass | 6,000 kg (13,000 lb) |
| Associated rockets | |
| Family | Long March |
| Comparable | |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Active |
| Launch sites | Wenchang Commercial, LC-2 |
| Total launches | 2 |
| Success(es) | 2 |
| First flight | 30 November 2024 |
| Last flight | 4 August 2025 (most recent) |
| First stage | |
| Powered by | 4 × YF-100K |
| Maximum thrust | 5,000 kN (1,100,000 lbf) |
| Propellant | RP-1 / LOX |
| Second stage | |
| Powered by | 2 × YF-115 |
| Maximum thrust | 360 kN (81,000 lbf) |
| Propellant | RP-1 / LOX[1] |
There is also a planned reusable version of the rocket, the CZ-12A; efforts are currently underway to verify stage-reusability technology via vertical take-off, vertical landing (VTVL) tests.[4]
Overview
editOn 26 February 2024, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) released its annual "Blue Book" which detailed the company's launch plans for the coming year; one of the projects revealed in the Blue Book is the new Long March 12 medium-lift rocket.[2] Long March 12 (CZ-12) is designed as a two-stage rocket: its first stage is powered by four YF-100K 1250 KN engines using RP-1 and liquid oxygen while its second stage is powered by two YF-115 180 kN engines also using RP-1/LOX. The rocket offers two payload fairing choices, one with a diameter of 5.2 metres and another with a diameter of 4.2 metres.[5]
CZ-12 has a stage diameter of 3.8 metres, a first for China. It is launched from the new commercial launch site located at China's coastal spaceport in Wenchang.[6]
The maiden launch of the new rocket occurred at 14:25 UTC on 30 November 2024 from the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Site. There were two payloads on the launch: the “Satellite Internet Technology Test Satellite” and the “Technology Test Satellite-3”. Notably, this launch featured the new YF-100K rocket engine in its initial orbital launch attempt; the engine is a critical component of the under-development Long March 10 lunar rocket. In addition, the maiden launch of the CZ-12 also constitutes the debut launch from the new Hainan commercial launch site.[3]
CZ-12A reusable variant
editIn the future, SAST plans to introduce a variant with a reusable first stage: the Long March 12A (CZ-12A). It is anticipated that the CZ-12A will use methane and liquid-oxygen rocket engines from commercial providers. As of early January 2025, SAST launched a VTVL test-stage to a height of 75 kilometres on 19 January 2025 to simulate the launch and recovery of the first stage of the future CZ-12A.[4] The outcome of the test is unknown.[7] In August 2025, SAST conducted a static fire test of the upper stage of the CZ-12A at the Haiyang Oriental Spaceport [8]
Launch statistics
edit- Failure
- Partial failure
- Success
- Planned
List of launches
edit| Serial Number | Flight number | Date (UTC) | Launch site | Payload | Orbit | Result | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Y1 | 30 November 2024 14:25 |
Wenchang Commercial, LC-2 | Hulianwang Jishu Shiyan 5A JSW-03 |
LEO | Success | Maiden flight of Long March 12. |
| 2 | Y2 | 4 August 2025 10:21 |
Wenchang Commercial, LC-2 | Huliangwang × 9 (SatNet LEO Group 07) | LEO | Success |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Clark, Stephen (December 2, 2024). "Over the weekend, China debuted a new rocket on the nation's path to the Moon". Ars Technica.
- ^ a b Jones, Andrew (26 February 2024). "China's 2024 space plans include 100 launches and moon sample return mission". spacenews.com. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- ^ a b Jones, Andrew (30 November 2024). "China launches first Long March 12 from new commercial spaceport in boost for country's lunar plans". spacenews.com. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
- ^ a b Jones, Andrew (2 January 2025). "China to debut new Long March and commercial rockets in 2025". spacenews.com. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "长征十二号运载火箭计划今年首飞". 新华网. 26 February 2024.
- ^ Jones, Andrew (29 February 2024). "China to debut new Long March rockets in 2024". space.com. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "China performs high altitude reusable rocket test with uncertain outcome". SpaceNews. 20 January 2025.
- ^ "海商发团队自研"东方航天港"号助力星途探索，创下海上高频次连续发射新纪录！". 海商发. 23 August 2025.