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Launch Vehicles
Vehicle family profile

Long March 6

长征六号

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
41
Missions in the public mission table with actual launch dates.
Peak listed capacity
8,000 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
201910
202010
202140
202240
202330
202480
2025110
2026710
2027012
2028014
2029016
2030016
2031016
2032016
2033016
2034016
2035016

Performance Specs

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

VariantOrbitCapacityAltitudeInclinationSource
Long March 6A
LEO8,000 kgUnknownUnknownLong March 6A public performance profile
Long March 6A
SSO6,500 kg500 kmUnknownLong March 6A public performance profile

Recent Missions

Latest launched missions using variants in this family.

MissionVariantLaunch
Qianfan Xingzuo 13
Long March 6A
Jul 4, 2026
Qianfan Xingzuo 11
Long March 6A
Jun 4, 2026
Qianfan Xingzuo 08
Long March 6A
May 12, 2026
PRSC-EO3 Mission

Variants

Canonical variants rolled up into this launch vehicle family.

VariantStagesMissionsStatus
Long March 6
Not stated15Active
Long March 6A
Not stated25Active
Long March 6C
Not stated1Active
2036016
2037016
2038016
2039016
2040016
2041016

Forecast Location Split

1 launch location represented.

YearLocationLaunchesConfidenceBasis
2026Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center1022%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2027Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center1222%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2028Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center1422%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2029Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center1622%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2030Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center1622%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2031Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center1622%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2032Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center1622%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2033Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center1622%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2034Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center1622%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2035Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center1622%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2036Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center1622%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2037Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center1622%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2038Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center1622%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2039Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center1622%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2040Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center1622%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
2041Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center1622%China launch cadence curve: active Long March/Gravity families scale from current low-confidence static defaults toward an analytically modeled high-volume con...
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
2026 · 22% confidence
10

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

Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
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...

Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
2028 · 22% confidence
14

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

Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
2029 · 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...

Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
2030 · 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...

Long March 6C
LEO4,500 kgUnknownUnknownEd Kyle Space Launch Report CZ-5/6/7/8 summary
Long March 6A
SSO4,500 kg700 kmUnknownCASC / SpaceChina Long March 6A page
Long March 6C
SSO2,400 kg500 kmUnknownCASC / SpaceChina Long March 6C page
Long March 6C
SSO2,000 kg700 kmUnknownCASC / SpaceChina Long March 6C page
Long March 6
LEO1,500 kgUnknownUnknownEd Kyle Space Launch Report CZ-5/6/7/8 summary
Long March 6
SSO1,000 kg700 kmUnknownCASC Long March 6 report
Long March 6
Apr 25, 2026
WHDW 21
Long March 6A
Apr 8, 2026
Yaogan 50-02
Long March 6A
Mar 15, 2026
Yaogan 50-01
Long March 6A
Jan 13, 2026
WHDW 15
Long March 6A
Dec 8, 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
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
2031 · 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...

Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
2032 · 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...

Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
2033 · 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...

Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
2034 · 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...

Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
2035 · 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...

Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
2036 · 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...

Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
2037 · 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...

Mentions
302
All verified mentions of this launch vehicle family in source documents.
0.0-5.0
Actions

Long March 6A successfully placed itself into a near-polar orbit and deployed 18 Qianfan satellites.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.5May 18, 2026China avanza en su carrera espacial y lanza los cohetes Larga Marcha 6A y Zhuque-2E Y5
Page2of16

Long March 6A is the first Chinese launch vehicle series to combine solid and liquid propulsion in a single rocket.

CapabilityValue 3.8May 18, 2026China avanza en su carrera espacial y lanza los cohetes Larga Marcha 6A y Zhuque-2E Y5

The Long March 6A second stage uses a single YF-115 engine.

CapabilityValue 4.0May 12, 2026Eighth Qianfan Satellite Group Placed Into Earth Orbit [Long March 6A Y23]

The Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology developed the Long March 6A.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.5May 12, 2026Eighth Qianfan Satellite Group Placed Into Earth Orbit [Long March 6A Y23]

The Long March 6A can deliver 8,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit and 4,500 kilograms to a 700-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit.

CapabilityValue 4.8May 12, 2026Eighth Qianfan Satellite Group Placed Into Earth Orbit [Long March 6A Y23]

A Long March 6A launched 18 Qianfan satellites from Launch Complex 9A at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center on May 12 at 19:59 China Standard Time.

PlanCapabilityGeneralValue 4.0May 12, 2026Eighth Qianfan Satellite Group Placed Into Earth Orbit [Long March 6A Y23]

The Long March 6A first stage uses two YF-100 engines and four solid rocket boosters.

CapabilityValue 4.3May 12, 2026Eighth Qianfan Satellite Group Placed Into Earth Orbit [Long March 6A Y23]

The Long March 6A is believed to be up to 52 meters tall and to weigh 530,000 kilograms when fully fueled.

CapabilityValue 4.0May 12, 2026Eighth Qianfan Satellite Group Placed Into Earth Orbit [Long March 6A Y23]

The Long March 6A is China’s first new-generation launch vehicle to use a combination of solid and liquid propellants.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0May 12, 2026Eighth Qianfan Satellite Group Placed Into Earth Orbit [Long March 6A Y23]

The May 12 launch was the 23rd mission for the Long March 6A and the 642nd launch in the Long March launch vehicle series.

PlanGeneralValue 3.2May 12, 2026Eighth Qianfan Satellite Group Placed Into Earth Orbit [Long March 6A Y23]

Every Long March 6A launch to date has lifted off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi province.

GeneralPlanGrowthValue 3.0May 12, 2026Eighth Qianfan Satellite Group Placed Into Earth Orbit [Long March 6A Y23]

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation launched EO-3 on a Long March-6 rocket on April 25.

PlanGeneralValue 4.0Apr 27, 2026Pakistan Adds to EO Fleet of Satellites

The Long March-6 is a three-stage launch vehicle that uses cryogenic liquid propellant and can launch satellites to different orbits.

CapabilityValue 4.0Apr 25, 2026The 3 bigger satellites in the series are all contracted to launch via CGWIC BTW:

The Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology said Long March 6 launch preparations were completed on a compressed schedule while maintaining mandated quality controls.

PlanCapabilityValue 3.2Apr 25, 2026New Pakistani Remote Sensing Satellite Launched From Taiyuan [Long March 6 Y15]

China launched the possible final launch of the Long March 6 from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in China.

PlanValue 4.0Apr 25, 2026Red Dot spotted:

Pakistan has launched Earth observation satellites built in cooperation with China over the last 15 months on Long March 2D, Kuaizhou 1A, Kinetica 1, Smart Dragon 3, and Long March 6 launch vehicles.

PlanRelationshipsValue 4.5Apr 25, 2026Pakistan now has launched EO satellites built in cooperation with China over the last 15 months on a Long March 2D, a Kuaizhou 1A, a Kinetica 1, a Smart Dragon 3 & now a Long March 6. Are they collecting rockets? /s (seriously it probably means all sats are of different models)

The Long March 6 was the first green-propellant Long March launch vehicle developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Apr 25, 2026New Pakistani Remote Sensing Satellite Launched From Taiyuan [Long March 6 Y15]

SAST has shared milestones and achievements for the Long March 6 covering its 15 launches since 20 September 2015.

GeneralValue 2.6Apr 25, 2026SAST has just shared a list of milestones & achievements of the Long March 6 for its 15 launches since 20 September 2015, the very 1st time China's new breed of kerosene/LOX engines went to space. While not explicitly stated, the LM-6 really seems to be heading to retirement now.

The Long March 6 maiden flight from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center successfully placed 20 satellites into orbit.

PlanCapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Apr 25, 2026SAST has just shared a list of milestones & achievements of the Long March 6 for its 15 launches since 20 September 2015, the very 1st time China's new breed of kerosene/LOX engines went to space. While not explicitly stated, the LM-6 really seems to be heading to retirement now.

The Long March 6 has flown 15 launches in just over 10 years.

GeneralGrowthValue 2.5Apr 25, 2026SAST has just shared a list of milestones & achievements of the Long March 6 for its 15 launches since 20 September 2015, the very 1st time China's new breed of kerosene/LOX engines went to space. While not explicitly stated, the LM-6 really seems to be heading to retirement now.