Long March 12A

LandSpace’s Zhuque-3, the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology’s Long March 12A, CAS Space’s Kinetica-2, and Space Pioneer’s Tianlong-3 are operational reusable launch vehicles in China.

The CZ-12A/B is a 4 m-class, two-stage tandem, three-rocket reusable launch vehicle that uses oxygen-oil-methane propellant.

The CZ-12A/B is transportable by road and rail and is designed to deliver 10-12 t to low Earth orbit and 6-15 t to sun-synchronous orbit.

The CZ-12A/B is scheduled for first flight on December 23, 2025.

An official render of the CZ-12B shows landing legs similar to those on the CZ-12A.

The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology implemented additional heat-protection measures on a rocket engine bay following lessons learned from the ZQ-3 and CZ-12A failed landing attempts.

CZ-12A experienced failed landing attempts.

The CZ-12A recovery attempt was announced two months before the CZ-12B recovery wording appeared.

The Long March 12A launch vehicle debuted on December 23rd, 2025.

Engineering teams are investigating the failed recovery attempt of the Long March 12A first stage, and experience from that mission is expected to inform refinements to the Long March 12B's reentry and landing systems.

The reusable first stage of the Long March 12A crashed near the intended recovery area in Gansu province.

The Long March 12A conducted its maiden flight from Jiuquan in late December and its second stage successfully placed its payload into the planned orbit.

The Long March 12B follows the Long March 12A, which is China's first reusable rocket.

China's state space contractor is positioning the Long March 12A and 12B as core elements of a new generation of reusable launchers intended to cut mission costs and increase launch cadence for government and commercial customers.

When flown, the Long March 12B will become China’s third reusable launch solution following LandSpace’s Zhuque-3 and the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology’s Long March 12A in December 2025.

An alternative objective for the Long March 12B booster is to verify a smooth reentry and in-flight engine startup without a soft landing, due in part to the first Long March 12A’s poor condition after atmospheric reentry when it landed about five kilometers away from the intended landing site.

The Long March 12A is a methalox rocket.

The Long March 12A is a methalox rocket.