China’s Reusable Rocket Ambitions Ignite with Long March 12B Test

The Chinese corporation CASC conducted a successful static fire test of the Long March 12B reusable launch vehicle prototype, paving the way for its first flight test. The test took place on January 16 at the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Test Zone within the Jiuquan Launch Center. CACL, the commercial wing of CASC, reported that the trial replicated the pre-launch process as closely as possible, including fueling, ignition, and timing management. Specifics about the duration of the test, the rocket’s technical features, and future test dates remain undisclosed.

Long March 12B features a two-stage design with a 4-meter diameter, employing kerosene and liquid oxygen as propellants. It is advertised to carry a payload of 20 tons to low Earth orbit. Images released by CACL suggest potential reusability of the first stage, though landing and recovery components are not yet visible.

Recent Developments in China’s Space Initiative

In December, CASC launched a similar rocket, Long March 12A, developed alongside Long March 12B. This rocket, with a diameter of 3.8 meters running on methane and liquid oxygen, can deliver approximately 9 tons of payload to low Earth orbit (6 tons with first stage return). However, in its December flight, while the second stage of Long March 12A reached orbit without payload, the first stage failed to return successfully to Earth.

Development of reusable rockets is a priority in China’s space strategy. CASC is also preparing for the launch of reusable Long March 10A and 10B rockets in 2026. The focus on reusability is driven by the need to enhance launch capabilities for deploying large satellite constellations like Guowang and Qianfan.

Long March 12B is positioned as a next-generation vehicle to facilitate the deployment of commercial satellite constellations into low Earth orbit. Recently, China filed an application to position over 200,000 satellites, necessitating a significant increase in launch frequencies.

New initiatives reveal that China’s Guowang and Qianfan projects aim to achieve an expansive satellite network, intended to rival constellations like Starlink. They continue to work on improving their satellite communication capabilities and investing significantly in infrastructure to support these megaprojects.

Competitive Edge and Future Prospects

Commercial companies are lining up for test flights of rockets such as Pallas-1, Kinetica-2, Tianlong-3, and Nebula-1 in early 2026. This competition among Chinese firms underscores a broader ambition to lead in space technologies.

Analysts highlight how China’s unwavering commitment to innovation in reusable rocket technology positions it favorably against global competitors. By reducing costs and increasing efficiencies, China can deploy satellites at unprecedented rates, facilitating the ambitious rollout of the Guowang and Qianfan satellite constellations.

The prospects of China’s reusable rockets seem promising; with upcoming tests and launches, the Long March series is poised to play a pivotal role in meeting global satellite communication demands.