Long March 12B

Long March 12B/Changzheng 12B (LM-12B/CZ-12B) is a reusable orbital launch vehicle developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Commercial Launch Vehicle Group (CACL), a subsidiary company of the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). The rocket is based on the Long March 12, but extensively re-designed for first stage re-usability, and use of gas generator cycle kerosene/liquid oxygen powered rocket engines in both stages. The first stage uses 9 YF-102R engines and the second stage uses 1 YF-102V engine, both from CASC's Academy of Aerospace Liquid Propulsion Technology (AALPT). On launch missions where the first stage is recovered, it will land on a down-range landing pad located in Minqin County, Gansu Province.

Height

72 m

Diameter

4.37 m

LEO capacity

20,000 kg

Manufacturer

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

Total launches

Successful

Pending

Successful landings

Flight system

Built to move mass beyond the atmosphere.

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.

Mission record

Flights on this vehicle.

Search every mission

Completed · 1

Launch Successful

Long March 12B | Demo Flight (SpaceSail Polar Group #10)

Jun 1, 2026

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

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