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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 first and second stages have a diameter of 3.35 meters, the two boosters have a diameter of 2.25 meters, and the fairing is available in diameters of 4.2 or 5.2 meters.

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

LeoLabs found a median radar cross section (RCS) of 3.8 square meters for GuoWang satellites deployed by Long March 8A.

Capability
Page8of18
General
Value 4.0
Mar 10, 2026
How Large Are GuoWang's Mega-Constellation Satellites?

The Long March 8A has deployed nine GuoWang spacecraft per launch using a 5.2-meter-diameter fairing.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.5Mar 10, 2026How Large Are GuoWang's Mega-Constellation Satellites?

Our Space reported that Long March 8A’s sixth flight deployed 54 GuoWang satellites with a collective mass of 37,530 kilograms.

GeneralCapabilityValue 4.0Mar 10, 2026How Large Are GuoWang's Mega-Constellation Satellites?

The 54 GuoWang satellites deployed on Long March 8A’s sixth flight average 695 kilograms each.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Mar 10, 2026How Large Are GuoWang's Mega-Constellation Satellites?

LeoLabs analysis indicates near-polar GuoWang groups launched by Long March 6A and Long March 5B are probably using the larger satellite platform while groups launched by Long March 8A and Long March 12 are probably using the smaller platform.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Mar 10, 2026How Large Are GuoWang's Mega-Constellation Satellites?

The January 17 Long March 3B/E third-stage failure halted launch campaigns for Long March 3A, Long March 3C, Long March 7A, and Long March 8 until a thorough investigation can be completed.

PlanValue 4.0Mar 8, 2026With a Prolonged Pause, Where Are China's Launches?

The Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site is preparing for a launch mission in the coming weeks using the Long March 8A.

PlanValue 3.8Mar 8, 2026With a Prolonged Pause, Where Are China's Launches?

The third-stage used by the Long March 3B/E is shared with the Long March 3A, Long March 3C, Long March 7A, and Long March 8 launch vehicles.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Mar 8, 2026With a Prolonged Pause, Where Are China's Launches?

A handful of launches were booked with Long March 8 out of the Wenchang Commercial Launch Site and have not yet taken place.

PlanGeneralValue 3.2Mar 7, 2026Jiuquan Set to Host First Qianfan Constellation Launch in Coming Weeks

Local reports from Wenchang Spaceport indicate a Long March 8A (CZ-8A) launch planned for March 13, 2026.

PlanGeneralValue 3.0Mar 1, 2026No NOTAM is publised yet, but local report at wenchang are unanimous on a CZ-8A launch on 13th, further launches are more uncertain, but there may be a CZ-5 at the end of the month; no CZ-12 or CZ-7A, because of preparations for CZ-10B (at same pad) & Tianzhou 10 NET early April

Two missions have taken place at Wenchang in 2026: a Long March 8A and a Long March 12.

GeneralPlanValue 4.0Feb 26, 2026Wenchang Commercial Launch Site Aiming for 20+ Missions This Year Following Provincial Leadership Visits

The YF-75DA engine has flown seven times in paired configurations on the Long March 8A.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Feb 15, 2026Long March 10A Test Booster Flew As Expected Despite Grid Fin Issue, Rocket Designer Says

Only a Long March 8A launch is expected to fly uninterrupted on February 3rd.

PlanValue 3.0Jan 24, 2026Wenchang Appears to Be Preparing for Major Mengzhou Spacecraft Test

If the failure is related to the YF-75 engine, additional grounding could include vehicles using improved YF-75 variants such as the Long March 5 and Long March 8A.

GeneralPlanValue 2.3Jan 17, 2026Shijian Spacecraft Lost Due to Rare Long March Launch Failure [Long March 3B/E]

Other Long March vehicles that use the same third-stage as the Long March 3B/E include the Long March 3A, Long March 3C, Long March 7A, and Long March 8.

CapabilityValue 3.6Jan 17, 2026Shijian Spacecraft Lost Due to Rare Long March Launch Failure [Long March 3B/E]

The Long March 8A rocket is a medium-lift vehicle optimized for high-density satellite aggregation.

CapabilityValue 3.0Jan 14, 2026China Opens 2026 Launch Manifest with Retrograde Yaogan and Guowang Deployments

The Long March 8A is capable of lifting approximately 7,000 kg to sun-synchronous orbit.

CapabilityValue 4.0Jan 14, 2026China Opens 2026 Launch Manifest with Retrograde Yaogan and Guowang Deployments

A Long March 8A rocket deployed a batch of nine satellites for the Guowang project.

PlanGeneralValue 4.0Jan 14, 2026China Opens 2026 Launch Manifest with Retrograde Yaogan and Guowang Deployments

The first and second stages of the Long March 8A have a diameter of 3.35 meters, the boosters have a diameter of 2.25 meters, and the fairing's diameter is either 4.2 or 5.2 meters.

CapabilityValue 4.0Jan 13, 2026Wenchang Launch Begins GuoWang Deployments in 2026 [Long March 8A Y7]