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Launch Vehicles
Vehicle family profile

Long March 9

长征九号

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

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. (CASC)Development
Admin
Variants
1
Canonical variants linked to this family.
Historical missions
0
Missions in the public mission table with actual launch dates.
Peak listed capacity
150,000 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
202602
202702
202802
202902
203002
203102
203202
203302
203404
203504
203604
203704
203804
203904
204004
204104

Forecast Location Split

1 launch location represented.

Performance Specs

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

VariantOrbitCapacityAltitudeInclinationSource
Long March 9
LEO150,000 kgUnknownUnknownChina State Council Long March 9
Long March 9
TLI50,000 kgUnknownUnknownChina State Council Long March 9

Recent Missions

Latest launched missions using variants in this family.

MissionVariantLaunch

No recent missions

No launched missions are linked to variants in this family.

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 9
Not stated0Development
YearLocationLaunchesConfidenceBasis
2026Wenchang Space Launch Site210%Editable low-confidence annual throughput seed.
2027Wenchang Space Launch Site210%Editable low-confidence annual throughput seed.
2028Wenchang Space Launch Site210%Editable low-confidence annual throughput seed.
2029Wenchang Space Launch Site210%Editable low-confidence annual throughput seed.
2030Wenchang Space Launch Site210%Editable low-confidence annual throughput seed.
2031Wenchang Space Launch Site210%Editable low-confidence annual throughput seed.
2032Wenchang Space Launch Site222%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2033Wenchang Space Launch Site222%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2034Wenchang Space Launch Site422%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2035Wenchang Space Launch Site422%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2036Wenchang Space Launch Site422%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2037Wenchang Space Launch Site422%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2038Wenchang Space Launch Site422%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2039Wenchang Space Launch Site422%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2040Wenchang Space Launch Site422%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2041Wenchang Space Launch Site422%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
Wenchang Space Launch Site
2026 · 10% confidence
2

Editable low-confidence annual throughput seed.

Wenchang Space Launch Site
2027 · 10% confidence
2

Editable low-confidence annual throughput seed.

Wenchang Space Launch Site
2028 · 10% confidence
2

Editable low-confidence annual throughput seed.

Wenchang Space Launch Site
2029 · 10% confidence
2

Editable low-confidence annual throughput seed.

Wenchang Space Launch Site
2030 · 10% confidence
2

Editable low-confidence annual throughput seed.

Wenchang Space Launch Site
2031 · 10% confidence
2

Editable low-confidence annual throughput seed.

Wenchang Space Launch Site
2032 · 22% confidence
2

China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume constellation deploymen...

Wenchang Space Launch Site
2033 · 22% confidence
2

China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume constellation deploymen...

Wenchang Space Launch Site
2034 · 22% confidence
4

China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume constellation deploymen...

Wenchang Space Launch Site
2035 · 22% confidence
4

China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume constellation deploymen...

Wenchang Space Launch Site
2036 · 22% confidence
4

China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume constellation deploymen...

Wenchang Space Launch Site
2037 · 22% confidence
4

China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume constellation deploymen...

Track
Mentions
155
All verified mentions of this launch vehicle family in source documents.
0.0-5.0
Actions

China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology displayed a fully reusable Long March 9 rocket concept at the Zhuhai Airshow in Guangdong province, which opened on 2024-11-12.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.0Nov 14, 2024China unveils fully reusable Starship-like rocket concept
Page5of8

CALT plans to develop the Long March 9 in two stages, first as a heavy-lift model to increase access to space and later as a two-stage fully reusable configuration to reduce costs and enhance launch frequency.

PlanCapabilityGrowthValue 4.3Nov 14, 2024China unveils fully reusable Starship-like rocket concept

An animated video of the Long March 9 concept shows the large first stage deploying grid fins, performing a reentry burn, and executing a landing burn targeting an offshore platform with moveable rails that capture the stage.

CapabilityGeneralValue 2.8Nov 14, 2024China unveils fully reusable Starship-like rocket concept

A slide attributed to Long Lehao details a 10.6-meter-diameter Long March 9 first stage powered by 30 YF-215 engines with a targeted first launch around 2030.

PlanCapabilityGrowthValue 4.0Nov 6, 2024China’s new rocket for crew and moon to launch in 2026

The Long March 9 is planned to launch modules, infrastructure, and components for the International Lunar Research Station.

PlanGeneralValue 3.6Nov 6, 2024China’s new rocket for crew and moon to launch in 2026

China's planned heavy-lift Long March 9 booster is not expected to be ready until the mid-2030s.

PlanGrowthValue 4.0Aug 19, 2024The new Moon race: Assessing Chinese and US strategies

CASC is developing a new-generation human-rated launcher, a spaceplane, and the Long March 9 super heavy-lift launcher while also working on reusable rockets.

PlanCapabilityGeneralValue 3.6Mar 5, 2024China to debut large reusable rockets in 2025 and 2026

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is developing reusable rockets including a new-generation human-rated launcher, a spaceplane, and the Long March 9 super heavy-lift launcher.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Jan 19, 2024China’s Landspace conducts first VTVL test for reusable stainless steel rocket

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is developing reusable rockets including a new-generation human-rated launcher for lunar crewed missions and an evolving Long March 9 super heavy-lift launcher.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Dec 11, 2023China’s reusable rocket race heats up with new hop test

Long March 9 designs presented in 2022 and 2023 show variants using methalox engines without boosters.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.0Nov 27, 2023China makes progress on Raptor-like engines for super heavy rocket

China’s earlier Long March 9 designs dating to 2011 were to be powered by 500-ton-thrust kerosene-liquid oxygen (kerolox) engines.

CapabilityValue 4.6Nov 27, 2023China makes progress on Raptor-like engines for super heavy rocket

China is developing full-flow staged-combustion-cycle methane-liquid oxygen (methalox) rocket engines producing 200,000 kg of thrust to power a reusable Long March 9 super heavy-lift launcher.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.5Nov 27, 2023China makes progress on Raptor-like engines for super heavy rocket

China’s Wenchang spaceport is being expanded to host commercial launches and to serve as the site for the in-development Long March 10 and the larger Long March 9 rocket.

PlanGrowthValue 4.0May 29, 2023China sets sights on crewed lunar landing before 2030

A two-stage Long March 9 variant is planned to carry 150,000 kg to low Earth orbit or 100,000 kg to LEO when landing the first stage.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Apr 27, 2023China plans full reusability for its super heavy Long March 9 rocket

A fully reusable Long March 9 variant is planned as the ultimate objective with an 80-ton-to-LEO capability expected to fly in the 2040s.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Apr 27, 2023China plans full reusability for its super heavy Long March 9 rocket

China is targeting 2033 for first flights of a three-stage Long March 9 powered by numerous full flow staged combustion methane engines on the first stage.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Apr 27, 2023China plans full reusability for its super heavy Long March 9 rocket

China had previously aimed to debut an expendable Long March 9 using 500-ton-thrust kerosene-LOX engines around 2028–2030.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Apr 27, 2023China plans full reusability for its super heavy Long March 9 rocket

China is planning to develop a fully reusable version of the Long March 9 rocket designed to launch infrastructure and deep space missions.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Apr 27, 2023China plans full reusability for its super heavy Long March 9 rocket

The change in direction for the Long March 9 development could delay China’s planned International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project.

PlanGrowthGeneralValue 3.4Apr 27, 2023China plans full reusability for its super heavy Long March 9 rocket

The three-stage Long March 9 is being designed to carry 50,000 kg to lunar transfer orbit or 35,000 kg when the first stage is recovered.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.6Apr 27, 2023China plans full reusability for its super heavy Long March 9 rocket