Long March 12
| Function | Medium-lift launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology |
| Country of origin |  People's Republic of China |
| Size | |
| Height | 62 m (203 ft) |
| Diameter | 3.8 m (12 ft) |
| Mass | 433 t (955,000 lb) |
| Stages | 2 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to 200 km low Earth orbit | |
| Mass | 12,000 kg (26,000 lb) |
| Payload to 300 km low Earth orbit | |
| Mass | 10,000 kg (22,000 lb) |
| Payload to 700 km Sun-synchronous orbit | |
| Mass | 6,000 kg (13,000 lb) |
| Associated rockets | |
| Family | Long March (rocket family) |
| Comparable | |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Operational |
| Launch sites | Wenchang Commercial LC-2 |
| Total launches | 1 |
| Success(es) | 1 |
| First flight | 30 November 2024 |
| First stage | |
| Diameter | 3.8 m (12 ft) |
| Powered by | 4 YF-100K |
| Maximum thrust | Sea level: 5,000 kN (1,100,000 lbf) |
| Propellant | RP-1 / LOX |
| Second stage | |
| Diameter | 3.8 m (12 ft) |
| Powered by | 2 YF-115 |
| Maximum thrust | 360 kN (81,000 lbf) |
| Propellant | RP-1 / LOX |
The Long March 12 (Chinese: 长征十二号运载火箭), or Chang Zheng 12 as in pinyin, abbreviated LM-12 for export or CZ-12 within China, is a Chinese medium-lift launch vehicle carrier rocket built by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology. It is capable of placing at least 12 tonnes of payload in low Earth orbit and at least 6 tonnes in a 700 km Sun-synchronous orbit. Its first launch took place on November 30, 2024 from the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Site on Hainan island.[1][2]
Overview
[edit]On 26 February 2024, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) released its annual "Blue Book" which detailed the company's launch plans for the coming year; one of the projects revealed in the Blue Book is the new Long March 12 medium-lift rocket.[1] Long March 12 (CZ-12) is designed as a two-stage rocket: its first stage is powered by four YF-100K 1250 KN engines using RP-1 and liquid oxygen while its second stage is powered by two YF-115 180 kN engines also using RP-1/LOX. The rocket offers two payload fairing choices, one with a diameter of 5.2 metres and another with a diameter of 4.2 metres.[3]
CZ-12 has a stage diameter of 3.8 metres, a first for China. It is launched from the new commercial launch site located at China's coastal spaceport in Wenchang.[4]
The maiden launch of the new rocket occurred at 14:25 UTC on 30 November 2024 from the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Site. There were two payloads on the launch: the “Satellite Internet Technology Test Satellite” and the “Technology Test Satellite-3”. Notably, this launch featured the new YF-100K rocket engine in its initial orbital launch attempt; the engine is a critical component of the under-development Long March 10 lunar rocket. In addition, the maiden launch of the CZ-12 also constitutes the debut launch from the new Hainan commercial launch site. [2]
List of launches
[edit]| Serial Number | Flight number | Date (UTC) | Launch site | Payload | Orbit | Result | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Y1 | 30 November 2024 14:25 |
Wenchang LC-2 | Hulianwang Jishu Shiyan 5A JSW-03 |
LEO | Success | Maiden flight of Long March 12. |
See also
[edit]
- China National Space Administration
- Comparison of orbital launchers families
- Comparison of orbital launch systems
References
[edit]- ^ a b Jones, Andrew (26 February 2024). "China's 2024 space plans include 100 launches and moon sample return mission". spacenews.com. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- ^ a b Jones, Andrew (30 November 2024). "China launches first Long March 12 from new commercial spaceport in boost for country's lunar plans". spacenews.com. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
- ^ "长征十二号运载火箭计划今年首飞". 新华网. 2024-02-26.
- ^ Jones, Andrew (29 February 2024). "China to debut new Long March rockets in 2024". space.com. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
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