Long March 12A | Demo Flight
Long March 12A • Long March
📝 Mission Description
This Long March 12A launch carries the Long March 12A | Demo Flight mission, scheduled for December 17, 2025. The mission aims to deliver important payloads to orbit, contributing to our understanding of space and advancing technological capabilities.
ℹ️ Official Details
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.
🎯 Post-Launch Analysis
The inaugural test flight of the Long March 12A, launched on December 23, 2025, by CASC/SAST, achieved a successful mission outcome with precise orbital insertion and deployment of a dummy payload. Technical performance was robust, marking a significant milestone for the rocket’s design and operational capabilities. The first stage’s attempted landing on a pad 300 km downrange, while not fully detailed in outcome, represents a critical step toward reusable rocket technology. Payload deployment proceeded as planned, confirming the rocket’s reliability for future missions. Key engineering outcomes include validation of the Long March 12A’s systems under real-world conditions, paving the way for iterative improvements. This success bolsters confidence in the rocket’s potential for cost-effective launches and reusability, with implications for China’s expanding role in commercial and scientific space endeavors. Further data from the landing attempt will likely shape subsequent development.