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2mo ago

Long March 12A Reaches Orbit on Debut as Booster Recovery Fails

The push for reusable boosters seeks to cut launch costs for China’s planned satellite networks.

Zhuque-3 rocket by China’s private rocket firm LandSpace, takes off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China, December 3, 2025, in this screengrab taken from handout drone footage provided by LandSpace. LandSpace/Handout via REUTERS
China fails to recover booster on first flight of Long March 12A rocket
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Overview

  • The state-developed Long March 12A lifted off from Jiuquan and its second stage reached the planned orbit, according to CASC.
  • The first stage aimed for a vertical landing about 250 kilometers downrange near Minqin in Gansu but was not recovered, with the cause under investigation.
  • This was China’s second unsuccessful orbital booster recovery attempt in December, after LandSpace’s Zhuque-3 missed its landing earlier in the month.
  • SAST and CASC said the flight generated critical engineering data and that teams will conduct a comprehensive review to improve recovery plans.
  • LandSpace executive Dong Kai says the company targets a successful booster recovery in mid-2026 with Zhuque-3 and plans eventual reuse on later flights.