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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 stage separation point of the CZ-12A is located at the second layer above the grid fins.

CapabilityValue 3.6Dec 11, 2025Appearance analysis of CZ-12A by the amature community. The stage sep point is actually at the 2nd layer above the gird fins. And 8 gas RCSs, 8 solid motors for stage sep. This demo rocket uses alot of on-shelf parts may not made to mass-production since there is alot to iterate.

The CZ-12A demo rocket utilizes many off-the-shelf parts.

Capability
Page7of10
Value 1.8
Dec 11, 2025
Appearance analysis of CZ-12A by the amature community. The stage sep point is actually at the 2nd layer above the gird fins. And 8 gas RCSs, 8 solid motors for stage sep. This demo rocket uses alot of on-shelf parts may not made to mass-production since there is alot to iterate.

The CZ-12A employs 8 gas RCS thrusters and 8 solid motors for stage separation.

CapabilityValue 4.3Dec 11, 2025Appearance analysis of CZ-12A by the amature community. The stage sep point is actually at the 2nd layer above the gird fins. And 8 gas RCSs, 8 solid motors for stage sep. This demo rocket uses alot of on-shelf parts may not made to mass-production since there is alot to iterate.

The design of the CZ-12A may not be intended for mass production as it requires significant iteration.

CapabilityPlanValue 1.8Dec 11, 2025Appearance analysis of CZ-12A by the amature community. The stage sep point is actually at the 2nd layer above the gird fins. And 8 gas RCSs, 8 solid motors for stage sep. This demo rocket uses alot of on-shelf parts may not made to mass-production since there is alot to iterate.

A landing burn greater than 1 MA may still be required for the CZ-12A.

CapabilityValue 3.0Dec 10, 2025Currently the CZ-12A launch date range from 15 to 17, Expecting the NOTAMs by this weekend. SAST did have more data from the 75km jump & orbital grid-fin tests. But the pad is only 250km downrange, they may still need to do a >1Ma landing burn. Odds are not on their side.

The CZ-12A launch date is scheduled to be between 15 and 17.

PlanValue 2.8Dec 10, 2025Currently the CZ-12A launch date range from 15 to 17, Expecting the NOTAMs by this weekend. SAST did have more data from the 75km jump & orbital grid-fin tests. But the pad is only 250km downrange, they may still need to do a >1Ma landing burn. Odds are not on their side.

NOTAMs for the CZ-12A launch are expected to be available by this weekend.

PlanValue 2.0Dec 10, 2025Currently the CZ-12A launch date range from 15 to 17, Expecting the NOTAMs by this weekend. SAST did have more data from the 75km jump & orbital grid-fin tests. But the pad is only 250km downrange, they may still need to do a >1Ma landing burn. Odds are not on their side.

The launch pad for CZ-12A is located 250 km downrange.

CapabilityValue 3.0Dec 10, 2025Currently the CZ-12A launch date range from 15 to 17, Expecting the NOTAMs by this weekend. SAST did have more data from the 75km jump & orbital grid-fin tests. But the pad is only 250km downrange, they may still need to do a >1Ma landing burn. Odds are not on their side.

Nova is equivalent in size to CZ-12A.

CapabilityGeneralValue 2.0Dec 10, 2025Random Thought: Starship<->CZ-9 NG 9x4<->CZ-10 Terran R<->5m RLV/9x150 CZ-10 Neutron<->CZ-10A/B Eclipse<-> CZ-12B Nova<->CZ-12A For every american RLV in development there's an equivalent-sized project *within* CASC, not just in china, within the 175k SOE that CASC is.

The Long March 12A has a specific landing pad.

CapabilityValue 2.5Dec 9, 2025Landing pad for the Long March 12A. Debut launch and landing attempt could come in the next week or so.

Other rumors suggest the CZ-12A maiden launch might take place on December 17th.

PlanValue 1.5Dec 9, 2025CZ-12A maiden launch on December 15th? Maybe, other rumors say 17th... This seems to be aimed at investors (listing associated companies) so take with a grain of salt.

The debut launch and landing attempt of the Long March 12A is expected in the next week or so.

PlanValue 3.5Dec 9, 2025Landing pad for the Long March 12A. Debut launch and landing attempt could come in the next week or so.

The CZ-12A is expected to have its maiden launch on December 15th.

PlanValue 4.0Dec 9, 2025CZ-12A maiden launch on December 15th? Maybe, other rumors say 17th... This seems to be aimed at investors (listing associated companies) so take with a grain of salt.

The CZ-12A maiden launch is rumored to occur on December 15th.

PlanValue 2.0Dec 9, 2025CZ-12A maiden launch on December 15th? Maybe, other rumors say 17th... This seems to be aimed at investors (listing associated companies) so take with a grain of salt.

There are rumors suggesting the CZ-12A maiden launch may occur on December 17th.

PlanValue 2.0Dec 9, 2025CZ-12A maiden launch on December 15th? Maybe, other rumors say 17th... This seems to be aimed at investors (listing associated companies) so take with a grain of salt.

China's next launch and recovery attempt is imminent following a static fire of the Long March 12A at Jiuquan.

PlanValue 3.5Dec 6, 2025After the spectacular attempt by Zhuque-3, China's next launch and recovery attempt appears imminent, following a static fire of the Long March 12A at Jiuquan.

China plans to launch Long March 12A at Jiuquan on an unspecified date in December.

PlanValue 4.0Dec 6, 2025There's a barrage of Chinese launches in the coming days. Dec. 8: Long March 6A at Taiyuan Dec. 9: Long March 2D at Jiuquan Dec. 9: Long March 3B at Xichang Dec. 10: Kinetica-1 at Jiuquan Dec. 11: Long March 12 at Wenchang (Dec. ??: Long March 12A (Jiuquan)) & more to follow

Long March 12A has completed a static fire on the launch pad.

PlanGeneralValue 4.0Dec 6, 2025🔥 Long March 12A has just completed static fire on the launch pad! Let's see if it can make a successful launch and first stage landing.

CZ-12A completed the static fire test.

PlanValue 3.7Dec 6, 2025RT by @raz_liu: CZ-12A completed the static fire test today.

The Long March 12A will launch from a newly completed launch pad at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

PlanGeneralValue 4.0Dec 4, 2025Long March 12 Series Jiuquan Launch Pad Complete Ahead of Reusable Rocket Debut