China’s space program employs a diverse array of launch vehicles, primarily under the Long March (Chang Zheng) series, developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). This family includes various models designed to deliver payloads to different orbits, supporting missions from satellite deployment to crewed spaceflights.
These launch vehicles collectively enhance China’s capacity to conduct a wide range of space missions, from deploying commercial satellite constellations to executing complex interplanetary explorations.
Long March 1
The Long March 1 (CZ-1) was China’s inaugural orbital launch vehicle, successfully placing the country’s first satellite, Dong Fang Hong 1, into orbit in 1970. Standing approximately 29.86 meters tall with a diameter of 2.25 meters, it had a liftoff mass of about 81,570 kilograms and could deliver payloads up to 300 kilograms into low Earth orbit (LEO).
The rocket utilized a three-stage configuration, with the first two stages powered by liquid propellants—unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) as fuel and AK27S (a nitric acid oxidizer)—and a solid-propellant third stage.
Long March 2
Following this, the Long March 2 series was introduced in the 1970s, featuring multiple variants such as the 2C, 2D, and 2F. These rockets have been instrumental in launching satellites and crewed missions, with the 2F variant notably carrying China’s first astronaut into space.
Long March 3
The Long March 3 series, including the 3A, 3B, and 3C variants, is tailored for geostationary satellite launches. These three-stage rockets often incorporate strap-on boosters to enhance payload capacity.
Long March 4 to 7
The Long March 4 series serves sun-synchronous and low Earth orbit missions, supporting various satellite deployments.
In recent years, China has developed new-generation rockets with improved capabilities and environmentally friendly propellants:
Long March 5: A heavy-lift rocket designed for large payloads, including components for the Chinese space station and interplanetary missions.
Long March 6: A small-lift vehicle optimized for rapid launches of multiple small satellites, utilizing kerosene and liquid oxygen propellants.
Long March 7: A medium-lift rocket intended to replace older models, supporting missions to low Earth orbit and serving as a cargo transport vehicle for the Chinese space station.
Long March 8
The Long March 8 is a medium-lift rocket developed to fill the gap between the Long March 7 and Long March 3B, offering capabilities for sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) and geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) missions. It incorporates environmentally friendly kerosene and liquid oxygen as propellants, reflecting China’s focus on sustainability. The rocket is designed with reusability in mind, and ongoing development explores the possibility of recovering its first stage. It is suited for missions requiring the deployment of small satellite constellations.
Long March 9
The Long March 9, a super-heavy-lift launch vehicle, is currently under development to support ambitious lunar exploration and interplanetary missions, including crewed moon landings. It is intended to be capable of delivering payloads exceeding 100 metric tons to low Earth orbit (LEO). This rocket will play a crucial role in China’s future deep-space exploration plans, rivaling NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) and SpaceX’s Starship. The maiden flight is anticipated in the 2030s, with its development marking a significant step forward in China’s space capabilities.
Long March 10
The Long March 10, though still in conceptual stages, is envisioned as a crewed lunar exploration rocket. Similar to the Long March 9 in scale, it will be optimized for human-rated missions. The rocket is being designed to support a broader range of crewed space exploration missions beyond low Earth orbit, including lunar landings and possibly Mars exploration in the long term.
Long March 11
The Long March 11 is a solid-fueled, quick-response launch vehicle, specifically tailored for rapid deployment of small satellites. Its design allows it to launch from both land and sea platforms, offering flexibility and reducing reliance on fixed infrastructure. This makes it ideal for commercial and military payloads requiring short preparation times. As one of the few solid-propellant rockets in the Long March family, it stands out for its speed and versatility, particularly in deploying satellite constellations.
