Long March 12B

Overview

Partially reusable, kerosene/liquid-oxygen launch vehicle built by CASC Commercial Rocket Co., Ltd. for CASC's commercial constellation launch business, designed from the outset for propulsive first-stage recovery. A separate CASC reusable-rocket line, the methane/liquid-oxygen Long March 12A built by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, reached orbit on its own December 2025 debut but has yet to land its booster successfully.

Debuted on June 1, 2026 from Jiuquan, delivering two Qianfan broadband satellites to orbit without attempting a first-stage landing on the maiden flight. No recovery attempt had been made as of mid-August 2026; CASC's near-term reusability focus has centered on reflying the Long March 10B booster recovered on July 10, 2026.

Key Specs

Payload to LEO (expendable)

20,000 kg

Payload to LEO (reusable mode)

12,000 kg

Height

72 m (236 ft)

Diameter

4.37 m (14.3 ft)

Engines

9 x YF-102R (first stage)

First Flight

June 1, 2026