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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 attempt of Long March 12A was unsuccessful.

PlanValue 3.0Dec 23, 2025The state of this reentry and descent of the Long March 12A is something to behold. But despite this failed attempt, the key point is that Chinese reusable launchers are coming.

The second-stage of the Long March 12A is powered by a single vacuum-optimized YF-209V engine producing 80 tons of thrust.

Capability
Page3of10
Value 5.0
Dec 23, 2025
Shanghai Academy Debuts Reusable Rocket, Fails Landing Attempt [Long March 12A Y1]

The fully fueled mass of the Long March 12A is approximately 437,000 kilograms.

CapabilityValue 4.0Dec 23, 2025Shanghai Academy Debuts Reusable Rocket, Fails Landing Attempt [Long March 12A Y1]

The CZ-12A has a full version called the ZQ-3.

CapabilityValue 2.8Dec 23, 2025The CZ-12A also have a full version like the ZQ-3 , with 9 LY-70s of the first stage with 4.2 diameter body. The CZ-12B plan to launch within first half year of 2026. via SpaceLens

The CZ-12A's first and second stages have different colors due to the differences in their design.

CapabilityValue 1.8Dec 23, 2025Video

The Long March 12A's first-stage experienced a landing burn failure when only two out of three engines ignited.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.0Dec 23, 2025Shanghai Academy Debuts Reusable Rocket, Fails Landing Attempt [Long March 12A Y1]

The color of the CZ-12A's first and second stages is different.

CapabilityGeneralValue 1.8Dec 23, 2025The CZ-12A launched today was originally the 100km hopper + newly built second stage. That's the reason why the color is different with the first & second stage. via SpaceLens

Long March 12A reached orbit during its first reusable launch attempt.

PlanCapabilityValue 3.0Dec 23, 2025RT by @AJ_FI: Long March 12A reaches orbit in first reusable launch attempt, but landing fails https://spacenews.com/long-march-12a-reaches-orbit-in-first-reusable-launch-attempt-but-landing-fails/

Both ends of the Long March 12A first stage are on fire.

CapabilityGeneralValue 2.0Dec 23, 2025Snapshot of Long March 12A first stage descending. Both ends on fire.

Long March 12A failed to succeed on its first attempt.

PlanValue 3.0Dec 23, 2025Rocket reuse technology is not that easy. Long March 12A couldn't make it on the first try.

The first stage landing of the CZ-12A failed.

GeneralValue 3.0Dec 23, 2025Another launch video of CZ-12A. Awaiting official reports, but reportedly reached orbit, first stage landing failed.

The first stage landing of CZ-12A failed.

PlanGeneralValue 1.5Dec 23, 2025Another launch video of CZ-12A. Awaiting official reports, but reportedly reached orbit, first stage landing failed.

The Long March 12A is scheduled for its debut launch and landing attempt on December 23, 2023.

PlanValue 4.0Dec 23, 2025Launch window open. No live stream, being a CASC attempt. We'll have to wait for unofficial and official news.

The first-stage of the Long March 12A impacted the ground approximately five kilometers away from the landing pad.

GeneralPlanValue 3.0Dec 23, 2025Shanghai Academy Debuts Reusable Rocket, Fails Landing Attempt [Long March 12A Y1]

The first stage of the Long March 12A rocket is descending.

GeneralValue 2.0Dec 23, 2025Snapshot of Long March 12A first stage descending. Both ends on fire.

The Long March 12A has fairing options of 4.2 or 5.2 meters wide.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Dec 23, 2025Shanghai Academy Debuts Reusable Rocket, Fails Landing Attempt [Long March 12A Y1]

The Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology conducted two hop tests in preparation for the Long March 12A flight.

PlanValue 3.5Dec 23, 2025Shanghai Academy Debuts Reusable Rocket, Fails Landing Attempt [Long March 12A Y1]

Long March 12A reached orbit in its first reusable launch attempt.

CapabilityPlanValue 3.5Dec 23, 2025RT by @AJ_FI: Long March 12A reaches orbit in first reusable launch attempt, but landing fails https://spacenews.com/long-march-12a-reaches-orbit-in-first-reusable-launch-attempt-but-landing-fails/

The CZ-12A was originally designed as a 100 km hopper with a newly built second stage.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.6Dec 23, 2025The CZ-12A launched today was originally the 100km hopper + newly built second stage. That's the reason why the color is different with the first & second stage. via SpaceLens

The Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology is the developer and operator of the Long March 12A.

GeneralCapabilityValue 3.5Dec 23, 2025Shanghai Academy Debuts Reusable Rocket, Fails Landing Attempt [Long March 12A Y1]