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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 was carrying the eighteenth group of GuoWang satellites, deploying nine from its second stage.

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

The idea of using a barge for landing Long March 8 rockets was scrapped in favor of starting with the Long March 10 series.

Plan
Page9of18
Growth
Value 3.0
Jan 13, 2026
The Long March 8 series was indeed CASC/CALT's 1st point of entry for reusing orbital rockets (you can find illustrations of LM-8 1st stage + boosters w/ legs on a barge), but this idea was scrapped many years ago in favor of starting from LM-10 etc. No barge landing for this!

The Long March 8A can carry 3,500 kilograms to geostationary transfer orbit.

CapabilityValue 4.6Jan 13, 2026Wenchang Launch Begins GuoWang Deployments in 2026 [Long March 8A Y7]

The core of the Long March 8A is 50.5 meters tall and weighs 371,000 kilograms when fully fueled.

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

The Long March 8A is projected to conduct a higher density of missions in 2026, with a potential of up to fifteen more flights this year.

PlanGrowthValue 3.4Jan 13, 2026Wenchang Launch Begins GuoWang Deployments in 2026 [Long March 8A Y7]

The Long March 8A lifted off at 23:25 pm China Standard Time on January 13th from Commercial Launch Pad 1 at the Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site.

PlanGeneralValue 3.5Jan 13, 2026Wenchang Launch Begins GuoWang Deployments in 2026 [Long March 8A Y7]

The Long March 8A mission took place eighteen days after the previous launch, facilitated by optimized launch preparations.

GeneralValue 2.3Jan 13, 2026Wenchang Launch Begins GuoWang Deployments in 2026 [Long March 8A Y7]

The Long March 8A's first stage is powered by two YF-100 engines, producing a total thrust of 490 tons at liftoff.

CapabilityValue 4.6Jan 13, 2026Wenchang Launch Begins GuoWang Deployments in 2026 [Long March 8A Y7]

The Long March 8 series was CASC/CALT's first point of entry for reusing orbital rockets.

CapabilityRelationshipsValue 2.2Jan 13, 2026The Long March 8 series was indeed CASC/CALT's 1st point of entry for reusing orbital rockets (you can find illustrations of LM-8 1st stage + boosters w/ legs on a barge), but this idea was scrapped many years ago in favor of starting from LM-10 etc. No barge landing for this!

The Long March 8A has a payload capacity of 9,800 kilograms to low Earth orbit.

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

Long March 8A launched SatNet LEO Group 18 at 15:25 UTC on January 13, 2026 from Hainan, China.

PlanValue 4.8Jan 13, 2026🚀 Liftoff at 15:25UTC on January 13, Long March 8A launched SatNet LEO Group 18 from Hainan

The second stage of the Long March 8A is equipped with two YF-75DA engines that produce 20 tons of thrust.

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

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

PlanValue 2.0Jan 13, 2026Wenchang Launch Begins GuoWang Deployments in 2026 [Long March 8A Y7]

The January 13th launch was the 7th launch of the Long March 8A vehicle and the 625th launch in the Long March series.

PlanValue 3.5Jan 13, 2026Wenchang Launch Begins GuoWang Deployments in 2026 [Long March 8A Y7]

The Long March 8A utilizes a two-and-a-half-stage design and is fueled by rocket-grade kerosene and liquid oxygen in the first stage, along with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen in the second stage.

CapabilityValue 4.5Jan 13, 2026Wenchang Launch Begins GuoWang Deployments in 2026 [Long March 8A Y7]

The Long March 8A can carry 7,000 kilograms to a 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit and 6,800 kilograms to a 900-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit.

CapabilityValue 4.6Jan 13, 2026Wenchang Launch Begins GuoWang Deployments in 2026 [Long March 8A Y7]

Long March 8A Y6 launched SatNet LEO Group 17 at 23:26 UTC on December 25, 2025 from Hainan commercial launch pad #1.

PlanGeneralValue 4.5Jan 13, 2026🚀 Liftoff at 15:25UTC on January 13, Long March 8A launched SatNet LEO Group 18 from Hainan

The Long March 8A was on the launch pad for five days prior to the mission, compared to ten days previously for testing and preparations.

PlanGrowthValue 3.0Jan 13, 2026Wenchang Launch Begins GuoWang Deployments in 2026 [Long March 8A Y7]

The Long March 8A was launched from Wenchang on Christmas Day.

PlanGeneralValue 3.5Jan 7, 2026Possibly the payload fairing from the Long March 8A launched from Wenchang on Christmas Day (UTC).

Flight data for the Long March 10 series launch vehicles' engines has been gathered using the YF-100K on the Long March 12 and the YF-75DA on the Long March 8A.

CapabilityValue 4.0Jan 7, 2026Yang Liwei Provides Progress Update on China's Crewed Lunar Landing Hardware