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Launch Vehicles
Vehicle family profile

Long March 8

长征八号

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

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. (CASC)Active
Admin
Variants
3
Canonical variants linked to this family.
Historical missions
16
Missions in the public mission table with actual launch dates.
Peak listed capacity
9,800 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
202010
202210
202410
202570
202668
2027012
2028016
2029020
2030024
2031024
2032024
2033024
2034024
2035024
2036024
2037024
2038024

Performance Specs

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

VariantOrbitCapacityAltitudeInclinationSource
Long March 8A
LEO9,800 kgUnknownUnknownSpace Launch Now Long March 8A vehicle page
Long March 8
LEO7,600 kgUnknownUnknownEd Kyle Space Launch Report CZ-5/6/7/8 summary

Recent Missions

Latest launched missions using variants in this family.

MissionVariantLaunch
Qianfan Xingzuo 15
Long March 8A
Jul 5, 2026
Qianfan Xingzuo 12
Long March 8
Jun 5, 2026
Qianfan Xingzuo 09
Long March 8
May 17, 2026
Qianfan Xingzuo 07

Variants

Canonical variants rolled up into this launch vehicle family.

VariantStagesMissionsStatus
Long March 8
Not stated6Active
Long March 8 0
Not stated1Active
Long March 8A
Not stated9Active
2039024
2040024
2041024

Forecast Location Split

1 launch location represented.

YearLocationLaunchesConfidenceBasis
2026Wenchang Space Launch Site822%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2027Wenchang Space Launch Site1222%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2028Wenchang Space Launch Site1622%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2029Wenchang Space Launch Site2022%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2030Wenchang Space Launch Site2422%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2031Wenchang Space Launch Site2422%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2032Wenchang Space Launch Site2422%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 Site2422%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 Site2422%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 Site2422%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 Site2422%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 Site2422%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 Site2422%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 Site2422%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 Site2422%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 Site2422%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 · 22% confidence
8

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
2027 · 22% confidence
12

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
2028 · 22% confidence
16

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
2029 · 22% confidence
20

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
2030 · 22% confidence
24

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

Long March 8 0
LEO7,600 kgUnknownUnknownEd Kyle Space Launch Report CZ-5/6/7/8 summary copied from sibling Chang Zheng 8 row
Long March 8A
SSO7,000 kg700 kmUnknownCASC Long March 8A rollout report
Long March 8
SSO4,500 kg700 kmUnknownCNSA Long March 8 page
Long March 8 0
SSO4,500 kg700 kmUnknownCNSA Long March 8 page copied from sibling Chang Zheng 8 row
Long March 8A
GTO3,500 kgUnknownUnknownSpace Launch Now Long March 8A vehicle page
Long March 8 0
GTO2,500 kgUnknownUnknownEd Kyle Space Launch Report CZ-5/6/7/8 summary copied from sibling Chang Zheng 8 row
Long March 8
GTO2,500 kgUnknownUnknownEd Kyle Space Launch Report CZ-5/6/7/8 summary
Long March 8
Apr 7, 2026
WHDW 20
Long March 8A
Mar 12, 2026
WHDW 18
Long March 8A
Jan 13, 2026
WHDW 17
Long March 8A
Dec 25, 2025
WHDW 14
Long March 8A
Dec 6, 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.

Track
Wenchang Space Launch Site
2031 · 22% confidence
24

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
2032 · 22% confidence
24

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
24

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
24

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
24

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
24

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
24

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

Mentions
360
All verified mentions of this launch vehicle family in source documents.
0.0-5.0
Actions

The first Long March 8 flight model has been delivered to Wenchang and rolled out for a rehearsal with launch set for 2020-12-20.

PlanCapabilityGrowthValue 4.0Nov 30, 2020China pushes ahead with super-heavy-lift Long March 9
Page18of18

The Long March 8 is a new liquid kerosene–liquid oxygen launcher that builds on technology developed for the Long March 7.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.0Nov 6, 2020China sets targets for smart, recoverable and reusable launch vehicles

A first flight model of the Long March 8 arrived at Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan island in late 2020-10-01.

PlanValue 4.0Nov 6, 2020China sets targets for smart, recoverable and reusable launch vehicles

An inaugural expendable Long March 8 launch is expected on 2020-12-20 from the Wenchang launch center.

PlanValue 4.0Oct 11, 2020China launches Gaofen-13 observation satellite towards geostationary orbit

An inaugural launch of an expendable Long March 8 could take place in 2020 with the new launcher expected to be upgraded to enable recovery of the first stage and side boosters.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Sep 27, 2020Secretive Chinese launch sends two remote sensing satellites into orbit

The Long March 8 will be capable of launching a 4.5-5 metric ton payload to Sun-synchronous orbit and 2.8 metric tons to geosynchronous transfer orbit.

CapabilityValue 4.3Jan 3, 2020China’s space contractor plans more than 40 launches in 2020

The Long March 8 is a kerosene-liquid oxygen rocket designed to launch a 5 metric ton payload to sun-synchronous orbit.

CapabilityValue 4.5Dec 20, 2019China creates commercial space alliance, expands launch complex

CASC states that the Long March 8 will be able to launch a 5 metric ton payload to Sun-synchronous orbit and 2.8 metric tons to geosynchronous transfer orbit.

CapabilityValue 4.6Dec 3, 2019China to continue world-leading launch rate in 2020

China will test-launch the Long March 8 in 2020 as a liquid-propellant rocket designed to increase Sun-synchronous orbit launch capability.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Dec 3, 2019China to continue world-leading launch rate in 2020

The Long March 8 was first announced as an expendable launcher in 2016 and can initially be produced to meet a launch rate of 10 per year, according to CASC.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Dec 3, 2019China to continue world-leading launch rate in 2020

CALT is developing retropropulsive landing capabilities for use on the planned Long March 8 launcher.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.0Nov 4, 2019China tests grid fins with launch of Gaofen-7 imaging satellite

The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology and the Shanghai Academy of Space Technology, both belonging to CASC, are developing vertical takeoff and vertical landing launch vehicles including the new Long March 8 and a variant of the Long March 6 using kerosene and liquid oxygen.

CapabilityPlanGeneralValue 4.4Jul 30, 2019Chinese Long March launch tests grid fins for safety, future reusability

The Long March 8 is a new generation medium-lift launcher planned to be capable of vertical takeoff and vertical landing with a planned debut in 2021.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Jul 10, 2018Commercial Chinese companies set sights on methalox rockets, first orbital launches

The Long March 8 was originally intended as an expendable rocket to increase China’s lift capacity to sun-synchronous orbits but was redesigned to allow experiments with vertical landing and reusability.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.0Jul 5, 2018China reveals details for super-heavy-lift Long March 9 and reusable Long March 8 rockets

The Long March 8 will use two solid propellant boosters likely based on the Long March 11.

CapabilityValue 3.8Jul 5, 2018China reveals details for super-heavy-lift Long March 9 and reusable Long March 8 rockets

The Long March 8 core is based on an existing Long March design using a core very similar to the 3.35-meter-diameter Long March 7.

CapabilityValue 3.0Apr 30, 2018China to test rocket reusability with planned Long March 8 launcher

The Long March 8 core will be equipped with landing legs and grid fins to enable landing following powered descent while the boosters are expected to use parachutes.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.2Apr 30, 2018China to test rocket reusability with planned Long March 8 launcher

China is developing a Long March 8 launch vehicle with a reusable first stage that could have a trial launch as early as 2020.

PlanCapabilityValue 3.5Apr 30, 2018China to test rocket reusability with planned Long March 8 launcher

The Long March 8 will use two solid propellant boosters likely based on the Long March 11.

CapabilityValue 3.0Apr 30, 2018China to test rocket reusability with planned Long March 8 launcher

The Long March 8 was previously expected to be an expendable rocket capable of launching up to 4.5 metric tons to a 700-kilometer Sun-synchronous orbit.

CapabilityPlanValue 3.0Apr 30, 2018China to test rocket reusability with planned Long March 8 launcher