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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
359
All verified mentions of this launch vehicle family in source documents.
0.0-5.0
Actions

The Long March-8A shown rolling out to the pad was without a payload.

GeneralValue 2.0Mar 12, 2026This is a very rare case, but somehow official Chinese media tweeted out on this very LM-8A (sans payload) rolling out to the pad on March 7, confirming at least what the launcher is:

The launch vehicle is labeled CZ-8A (Long March 8A) on its first stage.

General
Page7of18
Value 3.0
Mar 12, 2026
More LM-8A launch photos galore ( / ):

The Long March 8A uses a two-and-a-half-stage design with rocket-grade kerosene and liquid oxygen in its first stage and boosters, and liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen in its second stage.

CapabilityValue 4.0Mar 12, 2026GuoWang Mission Ends China's Month-Long Launch Hiatus [Long March 8A Y8]

A Long March 8A rocket is scheduled to launch from Wenchang on March 12, 2026 at approximately 19:45 UTC toward the sea.

PlanGeneralValue 4.0Mar 12, 2026Some miles down the road from where Artemis astronauts will head for the Moon, we are hearing about 1st astronauts heading close to there in 50+ years. Meanwhile some miles down the road from where Chinese astronauts will do the same, this rocket is launching within 30 minutes:

The Long March 8A launch vehicle is mounted on a launch mount with a mobile service tower and illuminated pad lighting.

CapabilityPlanValue 3.7Mar 12, 2026And this smallest Atlas V/Vulcan variant class rocket is certainly chilly already:

Long March 8A launched successfully at 7:49 PM UTC on March 12, 2026.

PlanValue 4.6Mar 12, 2026Clear skies all the way to boosters separation tonight!

A Long March 8A launched from Commercial Launch Pad 1 at the Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site at 03:48 China Standard Time on March 13, 2026 (19:48 UTC on March 12, 2026).

PlanGeneralValue 4.0Mar 12, 2026GuoWang Mission Ends China's Month-Long Launch Hiatus [Long March 8A Y8]

The Long March 8A (Chang Zheng-8A) launch vehicle was on a launch pad preparing for launch.

PlanGeneralValue 3.0Mar 12, 2026Probably only a few minutes before the 1st Year Of The Horse launch of this dozen years cycle:

The March 13, 2026 Long March 8A carried a group of satellites into low Earth orbit.

GeneralValue 4.0Mar 12, 2026GuoWang Mission Ends China's Month-Long Launch Hiatus [Long March 8A Y8]

A Long March 8A rocket is scheduled to launch from Wenchang around March 12, 2026 at approximately 19:45 UTC.

PlanGeneralValue 4.0Mar 12, 2026OK make it 4… Firstly in less than 4 hours (March 12 ~19:45 UTC, middle of night in China) some Chinese LEO constellation is getting more pieces together w/ a Long March 8A launching out towards sea from Wenchang, probably another SatNet satellites batch but who knows?

A Long March 8A launch vehicle lifted off on time.

PlanValue 4.0Mar 12, 2026Liftoff was on time:

GuoWang small satellite platforms launched on Long March 8A and Long March 12 weigh about 695 kilograms each.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Mar 12, 2026GuoWang Mission Ends China's Month-Long Launch Hiatus [Long March 8A Y8]

The twentieth group of GuoWang satellites rode atop the March 13, 2026 Long March 8A, with nine satellites placed into orbit.

GeneralPlanValue 4.0Mar 12, 2026GuoWang Mission Ends China's Month-Long Launch Hiatus [Long March 8A Y8]

The Long March 8 series, including Long March 8 and 8A, is set to fly fifteen times in total in 2026, requiring thirteen more flights over the next nine and a half months.

PlanGeneralValue 4.0Mar 12, 2026GuoWang Mission Ends China's Month-Long Launch Hiatus [Long March 8A Y8]

The March 13, 2026 flight marked the start of the second year of Long March 8A launch operations.

PlanGeneralValue 2.0Mar 12, 2026GuoWang Mission Ends China's Month-Long Launch Hiatus [Long March 8A Y8]

The Long March 8A rocket bore a Chinese national flag on its payload fairing.

GeneralValue 2.0Mar 12, 2026Probably only a few minutes before the 1st Year Of The Horse launch of this dozen years cycle:

The Long March 8A payload capacity is 9,800 kilograms to low Earth orbit, 7,000 kilograms to a 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit, 6,800 kilograms to a 900-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit, and 3,500 kilograms to geostationary transfer orbit.

CapabilityValue 5.0Mar 12, 2026GuoWang Mission Ends China's Month-Long Launch Hiatus [Long March 8A Y8]

The Long March 8A is currently flown from the Wenchang Space Launch Site and the Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site in Hainan province.

GeneralValue 3.0Mar 12, 2026GuoWang Mission Ends China's Month-Long Launch Hiatus [Long March 8A Y8]

The Long March 8A launch on March 12, 2026 departed from Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, China.

GeneralPlanValue 4.5Mar 12, 2026Clear skies all the way to boosters separation tonight!

The March 12 Long March 8A launch may carry a batch of SatNet satellites.

GeneralValue 2.0Mar 12, 2026OK make it 4… Firstly in less than 4 hours (March 12 ~19:45 UTC, middle of night in China) some Chinese LEO constellation is getting more pieces together w/ a Long March 8A launching out towards sea from Wenchang, probably another SatNet satellites batch but who knows?