Long March 12

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Long March 12
Rendering of a Long March 12
FunctionMedium-lift launch vehicle
Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 555: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology
Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 555: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).China
Size
Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 555: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).62 m (203 ft 5 in)
Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 555: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).3.8 m (12 ft 6 in)
Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 555: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).433 t (954,602 lb)
Stages2
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Altitude200 km (120 mi)
Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 555: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).12,000 kg (26,000 lb)
Payload to LEO
Altitude300 km (190 mi)
Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 555: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).10,000 kg (22,000 lb)
Payload to SSO
Altitude700 km (430 mi)
Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 555: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).6,000 kg (13,000 lb)
Associated rockets
FamilyLong March
Comparable
Launch history
StatusActive
Launch sitesWenchang Commercial, LC-2
Total launches4
Success(es)4
First flight30 November 2024
Last flight11 December 2025 (most recent)
First stage
Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 555: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).4 × YF-100K
Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 555: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).5,000 kN (1,100,000 lbf)
PropellantRP-1 / LOX
Second stage
Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 555: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).2 × YF-115
Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 555: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).360 kN (81,000 lbf)
PropellantRP-1 / LOX[1]

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. Both stages use liquid fuel: refined kerosene (RP-1) and liquid oxygen (LOX). 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]

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]

History and details

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CZ-12

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On 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 superheavy-lift 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

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In 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.

Launch statistics

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1
2
3
2024
2025
2026
  •   Failure
  •   Partial failure
  •   Success
  •   Planned

List of launches

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Flight Number Serial number Date/Time (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. - First flight of YF-100K engines. - First launch from WC-LC-2
2 Y2 4 August 2025
10:21
Wenchang Commercial, LC-2 Huliangwang × 9 (SatNet LEO Group 07) LEO Success
3 Y3 10 November 2025
02:41
Wenchang Commercial, LC-2 Huliangwang × 9 (SatNet LEO Group 13) LEO Success
4 Y4 11 December 2025
23:00
Wenchang Commercial, LC-2 Huliangwang × 9 (SatNet LEO Group 16) LEO Success

See also

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References

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  3. ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  4. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  5. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  6. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).