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Launch Vehicles
Vehicle family profile

Long March 12A

长征十二号甲

Family-level launch record combining canonical variants, historical missions, public cadence forecasts, and available payload performance specs.

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. (CASC)Active
Admin
Variants
1
Canonical variants linked to this family.
Historical missions
1
Missions in the public mission table with actual launch dates.
Peak listed capacity
12,000 kg
Maximum payload capacity across listed variants and orbits.

Launch Cadence

Historical missions are grouped by actual launch year. Forecast cadence uses family-level launch-rate rows.

YearHistorical missionsForecast launches
202510
202601
202701
202801
202901
203001
203101
203201
203301
203401
203501
203601
203701
203801
203901
204001
204101

Performance Specs

Payload capacity by variant and target orbit when structured capacity rows are available.

VariantOrbitCapacityAltitudeInclinationSource
Long March 12A
LEO12,000 kgUnknownUnknownchinese_launch_vehicle_chart_normalized.xlsx (manual screenshot transcription; extraction date 2026-06-02 UTC)
Long March 12A
SSO7,300 kg700 kmUnknownChina in Space Long March 12A capacity report
Long March 12A
SSO7,000 kg700 kmUnknown

Recent Missions

Latest launched missions using variants in this family.

MissionVariantLaunch
Dummy payload
Long March 12A
Dec 23, 2025

Forecasted Missions

Upcoming mission rows with announced launch timing.

MissionVariantAnnounced

No forecasted missions

No upcoming announced mission rows are linked to this vehicle family.

Variants

Canonical variants rolled up into this launch vehicle family.

VariantStagesMissionsStatus
Long March 12A
Not stated1Active

Forecast Location Split

1 launch location represented.

YearLocationLaunchesConfidenceBasis
2026Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center130%Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.
2027Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center130%Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.
2028Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center130%Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.
2029Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center130%Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.
2030Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center130%Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.
2031Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center130%Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.
2032Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center130%Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.
2033Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center130%Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.
2034Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center130%Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.
2035Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center130%Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.
2036Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center130%Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.
2037Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center130%Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.
2038Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center130%Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.
2039Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center130%Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.
2040Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center130%Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.
2041Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center130%Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
2026 · 30% confidence
1

Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
2027 · 30% confidence
1

Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
2028 · 30% confidence
1

Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
2029 · 30% confidence
1

Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
2030 · 30% confidence
1

Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
2031 · 30% confidence
1
chinese_launch_vehicle_chart_normalized.xlsx (manual screenshot transcription; extraction date 2026-06-02 UTC)
Long March 12A
LEO6,000 kgUnknownUnknownchinese_launch_vehicle_chart_normalized.xlsx (manual screenshot transcription; extraction date 2026-06-02 UTC)
Long March 12A
SSO3,000 kg500 kmUnknownchinese_launch_vehicle_chart_normalized.xlsx (manual screenshot transcription; extraction date 2026-06-02 UTC)
Track

Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
2032 · 30% confidence
1

Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
2033 · 30% confidence
1

Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
2034 · 30% confidence
1

Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
2035 · 30% confidence
1

Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
2036 · 30% confidence
1

Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
2037 · 30% confidence
1

Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Long March 12A family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.

Mentions
194
All verified mentions of this launch vehicle family in source documents.
0.0-5.0
Actions

The first-stage of the Long March 12A will achieve reuse through an engine performing a landing burn to touch down on four legs.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.0Nov 26, 2025China Has Three Reusable Rockets Ready for Their Debut Flights

The Zhuque-3 rocket, like the Long March 12A, burns liquid methane and liquid oxygen and delivers up to 11,800 kilograms in its 'block one' configuration.

Page10of10
CapabilityGeneralValue 4.2Nov 26, 2025China Has Three Reusable Rockets Ready for Their Debut Flights

The rockets transporter-erector for the Long March 12A was delivered in November.

RelationshipsPlanValue 3.5Nov 26, 2025China Has Three Reusable Rockets Ready for Their Debut Flights

The lineup at Jiuquan includes three major reusable rockets: CZ-12A, ZQ-3, and TL-3.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.0Nov 26, 2025The pads at Jiuquan are getting crowded! With the Long March 12A now vertical, we have a lineup of three major reusable rockets waiting to debut: CZ-12A, ZQ-3, and TL-3. ​What makes this unprecedented? The first two—CZ-12A and ZQ-3—are both targeting first-stage recovery on their maiden flights. We are about to see a massive leap in Chinese reusability.

The CZ-12A rocket is targeting first-stage recovery on its maiden flight.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Nov 26, 2025The pads at Jiuquan are getting crowded! With the Long March 12A now vertical, we have a lineup of three major reusable rockets waiting to debut: CZ-12A, ZQ-3, and TL-3. ​What makes this unprecedented? The first two—CZ-12A and ZQ-3—are both targeting first-stage recovery on their maiden flights. We are about to see a massive leap in Chinese reusability.

SAST is aiming for a successful first stage recovery at CZ-12A's maiden flight.

PlanValue 3.0Nov 7, 2025SAST set the bar high, they are aiming a successful first stage recovery at CZ-12A's maiden flight.

The CZ-12A's landing pad is circular.

CapabilityValue 2.5Nov 7, 2025Based on the construction date & a blurred image of the blue print(could tell it is a square pad). The square one might actually be the ZQ-3’s landing pad. The first discovered circular one might for the CZ-12A.

CZ-12A's second stage is scheduled for fire after the first stage.

PlanValue 3.5Nov 4, 2025Let's examine the progress these madien flight plans. CZ-8A: 4 launches already CZ-12A: 2nd stage fire. pending for the 1st ZQ-3: 1st stage fired twice, prep for launch TL-3: 1st stage fired. ? 2nd stage, prep for launch Gravity-2: engine fired, the rocket said to be ready in 25

ZQ-3, TL-3, LJ-2, and CZ-12A will have their debut flights at JSLC.

PlanValue 3.8Oct 26, 2025Rumours say the TL-3 will arrive at JSLC at Nov. JSLC will be busy in next 2 month. ZQ-3, TL-3 , LJ-2 & CZ-12A would have their debut flights there. Two of them would try to land their first stage.

HICAL expects multiple launches, including CZ-12A and SQX-3, to use the Hainan LCC-2 Methane fueling system by June 2026.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Oct 24, 2025R to @TAbusnardo: Despite these insider claims & rumors of CZ-12A launch from Jiuquan, HICAL says that comissioning of Hainan LCC- 2 Methane fuelling system is going well and it could support rocket launches in 11/25 HICAL ambitiously expects "multiple launches" (CZ-12A/SQX-3) to use it by 06/26

The maiden flight of CZ-12A may switch to the JSLC at the end of 2025.

PlanValue 3.0Oct 23, 2025Okay since the Wenchang commercical couldn't finish the methane loading system on time. Rumours say the maiden flight of CZ-12A may switch to JSLC at end of 2025.

A launch for CZ-12A/SQX-3 is expected no earlier than December 2023.

PlanValue 4.0Oct 17, 2025R to @TAbusnardo: Equipment installation for the Methane fuelling system of HCSLC LCC-2, necessary for CZ-12A/SQX-3, has been completed, but comissioning still ongoing, so, according to insider, a launch is NET Dec. Astrostone, founded 16 months ago, sent their S2 to Deep Blue's test stand for SF

Another type of rocket, possibly the CZ-12A, is also present at Wenchang commercial's assembly building.

CapabilityValue 2.2Oct 8, 2025According to the CALT's official wechat account. There are 3 rockets currently at Wenchang commercial's AB, CZ-8A Y4 & Y5 and "Another type of a rocket", Possible of the CZ-12A. By the way the CZ-8A was rolled back to AB to dodge the Typhoon and stacked back on the pad yesterday.

The Long March 12A VTVL test is planned for 2025-01-14–16, 2025 near Haiyang, Shandong province and will aim for an altitude of around 75 km to simulate a first stage flight.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Jan 2, 2025China to debut new Long March and commercial rockets in 2025