China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT)

中国运载火箭技术研究院

The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), established in 1957, is China's primary state-owned manufacturer of space launch vehicles and a major launch service provider. A subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), CALT is responsible for the design, development, manufacture, and testing of the Long March family of rockets, which are crucial to China's civilian and military space programs. CALT is also developing new-generation launch vehicles like the Long March-10 and Long March-9 for future lunar and Mars missions.

gov civilFounded 1957

China

www.calt.com

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All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.

CALT is aiming to demonstrate its capability of executing more than 15 launches per year.

GrowthCapabilityValue 3.0Jan 16, 2026Nothing can surprise me anymore for this launch about to happen within the next hour, right? Right?

China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) aims to conduct more than 15 Long March 3B launches per year.

GrowthPlanValue 3.8Jan 15, 2026Hopping from NW to E & now to SW China, yet another workhorse Long March 3B (apparently)'s launch towards GTO (probably) is happening January 16 ~16:55 UTC w/ I dunno. What's sure is LM-3B's life is far from over & CALT is trying to show how it can still does > 15 launches/year!

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) predicts that China will exceed 70 missions in 2026.

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

CALT confirmed that negotiations to turn LC-3 and LC-4 into dedicated CZ-10B/10C pads are progressing.

PlanGeneralValue 3.6Jan 14, 2026In addition CALT announced that HCSLC LC-4 is now dedicated, confirming that the negociation to turn LC-3&4 into dedicated CZ-10B/10C pads is bearing fruit, with launch NET late 2026 Furthermore solid launch from HCSLC may still be happening in some way.

CALT has compatible rockets CZ-10 and CZ-12/12A.

CapabilityValue 2.0Jan 14, 2026Compatible rockets list of WCLC. CALT:CZ-10B SAST: CZ-12 / 12A CCR:CZ-12B CASIC：KZ-6 iSpace:HB-3 / 3B Cas Space: LJ-2 Space Pionner:TL-3 Land Space:ZQ-2/3 Sepoch:XYZ-2 Fancy Space: HY-1 Astron Stone:AS-1 via

CALT announced that HCSLC LC-4 is now dedicated for launches.

PlanValue 2.2Jan 14, 2026In addition CALT announced that HCSLC LC-4 is now dedicated, confirming that the negociation to turn LC-3&4 into dedicated CZ-10B/10C pads is bearing fruit, with launch NET late 2026 Furthermore solid launch from HCSLC may still be happening in some way.

CALT's compatible rockets for WCLC include CZ-10B, CZ-12, CZ-12A, CZ-12B, KZ-6, HB-3, HB-3B, LJ-2, TL-3, ZQ-2, ZQ-3, XYZ-2, HY-1, and AS-1.

CapabilityValue 3.0Jan 14, 2026In addition CALT announced that HCSLC LC-4 is now dedicated, confirming that the negociation to turn LC-3&4 into dedicated CZ-10B/10C pads is bearing fruit, with launch NET late 2026 Furthermore solid launch from HCSLC may still be happening in some way.

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!

CASC/CSCN has provided vague statements hinting at a launch target for 2026 that may match or exceed the number of launches in 2025.

PlanGrowthValue 1.5Jan 11, 2026I am guessing first stage landing attempts: 3 of ZQ-3, 4 of 12A/B, 3 of CZ-10A/B

CASC/CSCN has hinted that the number of launches in 2026 may be at least as many as in 2025.

PlanGrowthValue 2.0Jan 10, 2026What's the Chinese launch target in 2026? So far there haven't been enough statements to make a tally, beyond some vague ones from CASC/CSCN hinting at least as many LM as 2025, but according to Spacelens's informed estimates, there may be a target of 35 Com. & 110 LM launches

CASC aims for 50 launches in 2023.

PlanGrowthValue 3.0Jan 10, 2026Note that Private/Mixed ownership LSP likely internally aim for more than 35 launches this year, since they collectively aimed for 50 in 2025: Reminder of target (realized) 2023: CASC 50 (48) Other 20 (19) 2024: CASC 70 (51) Other 30 (17)) 2025: CASC 80+ (73) Other 50+ (20)

CASC plans for 80 or more launches in 2025.

PlanGrowthValue 3.5Jan 10, 2026Note that Private/Mixed ownership LSP likely internally aim for more than 35 launches this year, since they collectively aimed for 50 in 2025: Reminder of target (realized) 2023: CASC 50 (48) Other 20 (19) 2024: CASC 70 (51) Other 30 (17)) 2025: CASC 80+ (73) Other 50+ (20)

CASC targeted 70 launches in 2024.

PlanValue 3.0Jan 10, 2026Note that Private/Mixed ownership LSP likely internally aim for more than 35 launches this year, since they collectively aimed for 50 in 2025: Reminder of target (realized) 2023: CASC 50 (48) Other 20 (19) 2024: CASC 70 (51) Other 30 (17)) 2025: CASC 80+ (73) Other 50+ (20)

The Long March 7A launch by CASC placed two technology demonstration satellites into orbit.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.0Jan 9, 2026China tallies record launch year as lunar and asteroid plans advance

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (CASC) conducted a Long March 7A launch on December 31, 2025 from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan.

PlanGeneralValue 3.8Jan 9, 2026China tallies record launch year as lunar and asteroid plans advance

CASC delivered a mass-to-orbit of 48,120.0 kg with 11.3% of their launches having known mass.

CapabilityValue 4.0Jan 5, 2026RT by @Cosmic_Penguin: Final 2025 Mass-To-Orbit Numbers: @SpaceX once again dominated the game with 2,413 tonnes of known payload delivered - 1.6x their 2024 record, and 34.8x 2nd place, @ULAlaunch. This is equivalent to ~400 male African bush elephants, or ~20 Blue whales. Full numbers below: Mass-to-orbit | % of launches w/ Known Mass @SpaceX | 2,412,740.3kg | 86.6%* @ULAlaunch | 69,338.0kg | 100% CASC | 48,120.0kg | 11.3%* @Roscosmos | 28,690.0kg | 66.7%* @MHI_Group | 23,500.0kg | 100% @Arianespace | 15,606.0kg | 100% @ISRO | 15,553.0kg | 100% VKS RF | 1,350.0kg | 25%* @RocketLab | 1,333.3kg | 72.2%* @KARI2030 | 500.0kg | 100% @ILAerospaceIAI | 260.0kg | 100% @IsarAerospace | 0.0kg | 100% Galactic Energy | 0.0kg | 16.7% @LandSpace_Tech | 0.0kg | 33.3% @GilmourSpace | 0.0kg | 100% Orienspace | 0.0kg | 100% @InnospaceCorp | 0.0kg | 100% -0% reported club- Chinarocket | 0.0kg | 0% @NorthropGrumman | 0.0kg | 0% @CAS_Space | 0.0kg | 0% iSpace | 0.0kg | 0% ExPace | 0.0kg | 0% *Note that payload mass is not always reported for each launch. This could be for a variety of reasons, such as national security or proprietary information concerns. For example, it is extremely likely CASC launched more mass than ULA, but they just haven't reported it.

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CALT) plans to have the maiden flight of the CZ-8A rocket in 2025.

PlanValue 4.0Dec 31, 2025Recap of the plan which Chinese LSPs made in the beginning of 2025.

The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology reported that the December 31, 2025 Long March 7A carried 7,000 kilograms of payload, marking the heaviest high-orbit payload ever launched by a Long March 7A rocket.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.6Dec 31, 2025China Concludes Global Launches in 2025 With New Shijian Duo [Long March 7A Y7]

The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology plans to increase the Long March 7 series flight rate in 2026 and indicated the series could fly approximately once a month or more with the shortened launch process.

PlanGrowthValue 4.0Dec 31, 2025China Concludes Global Launches in 2025 With New Shijian Duo [Long March 7A Y7]

China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (SAST) plans to have the maiden flight of the CZ-12A rocket in 2025.

PlanGrowthValue 4.0Dec 31, 2025Recap of the plan which Chinese LSPs made in the beginning of 2025.

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