Long March 12A: Demo Flight
First test launch of CASC/SAST’s Long March 12A rocket, with a dummy payload. The rocket’s 1st stage attempted to land on a landing pad about 300 km downrange of the launch site.
Mission Data
The launch vehicle successfully inserted its payload(s) into the target orbit(s).
About Long March 12A
Long March 12A/Changzheng 12A (LM-12A/CZ-12A) is a reusable orbital launch vehicle developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) 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 methane/liquid oxygen powered rocket engines in both stages. The first stage uses 7 Longyun-70 engines designed and manufactured by the private company Jiuzhou Yunjian (JZYJ), while the second stage uses 1 YF-209V engine 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.
Launch updates
Launch success, first stage landing attempt failed.
Source ↗Rescheduled for December 23 per NOTAMs.
Source ↗Apparently launch was delayed with rocket requiring roll-back; new information pending.
Source ↗NET December 17 per NOTAMs (note that identity of this particular launch is uncertain).
Source ↗Added launch.
Source ↗
Launch Site
Launch data from Launch Library 2 by The Space Devs.