Editing Long March (rocket family) (section)

== Variants ==
{{Timeline of Long March rocket families}}{{Update inline|date=June 2024|reason=Chart is out of date, no Long March 9 or 10.}}

The Long March rockets are organized into several series:
* [[Long March 1]]
* [[Long March 2]]
* [[Long March 3]]
* [[Long March 4]]
* [[Long March 5]]
* [[Long March 6]]
* [[Long March 7]]
* [[Long March 8]]
* [[Long March 9]]
* [[Long March 10]]
* [[Long March 11]]
* [[Long March 12]]

The Long March 5, 6 and 7 are a newer generation of rockets sharing the new 1200&nbsp;kN class [[YF-100]] engines, which burns [[RP-1]] / [[LOX]], unlike earlier 2, 3 and 4 series which uses more expensive and dangerous [[N2O4|N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>]] / [[UDMH]] propellants.<ref>SINA News ''[[Sina.com|Sina]]'', 19 November 2010, [http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/2010-11-19/1734619923.html]</ref> The 5 series is a [[heavy-lift launch vehicle]], with a capacity of 25,000&nbsp;kg to LEO while the 6 series is a [[small-lift launch vehicle]] with a capacity of 1,500&nbsp;kg to LEO, and the 7 series is a [[medium-lift launch vehicle]], with a capacity of 14,000&nbsp;kg to LEO.

The Long March 10A is a partially-reusable crewed-rated rocket designed for LEO missions currently under development; the Long March 9 is initially designed to be partially reusable before becoming a fully reusable launcher.
[[File:Comparatif des Longue Marche chinoise.png|thumb|center|900px|Comparison of Long March rockets]]

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="background:#ccf;"|align="center"
! Model 
! Status 
! data-sort-type="number"| Stages 
! data-sort-type="number"| Length<br/>(m) 
! data-sort-type="number"| Max. diameter<br/>(m) 
! data-sort-type="number"| Liftoff mass<br/>(t) 
! data-sort-type="number"| Liftoff thrust<br/>(kN) 
! data-sort-type="number"| Payload<br/>([[Low Earth orbit|LEO]], kg) 
! data-sort-type="number"| Payload (SSO, kg)
! data-sort-type="number"| Payload<br/>([[Geostationary transfer orbit|GTO]], kg)
|-style="background:#ccc"
|-
| [[Long March 1]] || {{site inactive|Retired}} || 3 || 29.86 || 2.25 || 81.6 || 1020 || 300 || – || –
|-style="background:#ccc"
|-
| [[Long March 1D]] || {{site inactive|Retired}} || 3 || 28.22 || 2.25 || 81.1 || 1101.2 || 930 || – || –
|-style="background:#ccc"
|-
| [[Long March 2A]] || {{site inactive|Retired}} || 2 || 31.17 || 3.35 || 190 || 2,786 || 1,800 || – || –
|-
| [[Long March 2C]] || {{Active}} || 2 || 43.72 || 3.35 || 245 || 2,961.6 || 4,000 || 2,100 || 1,250
|-
| [[Long March 2D]] || {{Active}} || 2 || 41.056 (without shield) || 3.35 || 249.6 || 2,961.6 || 3,500 || 1,300 || –
|-style="background:#ccc"
|-
| [[Long March 2E]] || {{site inactive|Retired}}<ref name="EA">{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/cz.htm|title=CZ|publisher=Astronautix.com|access-date=2010-08-10|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611001414/http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/cz.htm|archive-date=June 11, 2009}}</ref> || 2 (+ 4 boosters) || 49.686 || 3.35 || 464 || 5,923.2 || 9,500 || 4,350 || 3,500
|-style="background:#aaa"
|-style="background:#ccc"
|-
| [[Long March 2F/G|Long March 2F]] || {{Site inactive|Retired}} || 2 (+ 4 boosters) || 58.34 || 3.35 || 493 || 6512 || 8,800 || – || –
|-style="background:#ccc"
|-style="background:#ccc"
|-
| [[Long March 2F/G|Long March 2F/G]] || {{Active}} || 2 (+ 4 boosters) || 58.34 || 3.35 || 493 || 6512 || 8,800 || – || –
|-style="background:#ccc"
|-style="background:#ccc"
|-
| [[Long March 2F/G|Long March 2F/T]] || {{Active}} || 2 (+ 4 boosters) || 58.34 || 3.35 || 493 || 6512 || 8,800 || – || –
|-style="background:#ccc"
|-style="background:#ccc"
|-
| [[Long March 3]] || {{site inactive|Retired}}<ref name="EA"/> || 3 || 44.9 || 3.35 || 205 || 2,961.6 || 5,000 || – || 1,600
|-
| [[Long March 3A]] || {{site inactive|Retired}} || 3 || 52.52 || 3.35 || 242 || 2,961.6 || 6,000 || 5,100 || 2,600
|-style="background:#ccc"
|-
| [[Long March 3B]] || {{site inactive|Retired}}{{efn|CZ-3B last flown in September 2012 on flight 22 of the combined CZ-3B and CZ-3B/E launch [[Long March 3B|list]]; subsequent 43 flights in said list (to February 2020) have all been of the CZ-3B/E variant.}} || 3 (+ 4 boosters) || 54.838 || 7.85 (including boosters) || 425.8 || 5,923.2 || 11,200 || 6,850 || 5,100 
|-
| [[Long March 3B/E]]|| {{Active}} || 3 (+ 4 boosters) || 56.326 || 7.85 (including boosters) || 458.97 || 5923.2 || 11,500 || 7,100 || 5,500 
|-
| [[Long March 3C]] || {{site inactive|Retired}} || 3 (+ 4 boosters) || 55.638 || 7.85 (including boosters) || 345 || 4,442.4 || 9,100 || 6,450 || 3,900
|-style="background:#ccc"
|-
| [[Long March 3C/E]] || {{Active}} || 3 (+ 4 boosters) || 55.638 || 7.85 (including boosters) || 345 || 4,442.4 || 9,100 || 6,450 || 3,900
|-style="background:#ccc"
|-
| [[Long March 4A]] || {{site inactive|Retired}} || 3 || 41.9 || 3.35 || 241.1 || 2,961.6 || 3,800 || 1,600 || –
|-
| [[Long March 4B]] || {{Active}} || 3 || 48 || 3.35 || 249.2 || 2,961.6 || 4,200 || 2,295 || –
|-
| [[Long March 4C]] || {{Active}} || 3 || 48 || 3.35 || 249.2 || 2,961.6 || 4,200 || 2,947 || 1,500
|-
| [[Long March 5]] <!-- see talk page --> <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sinodefence.com/strategic/launchvehicle/cz5.asp|title=cz5|work=SinoDefence|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915021717/http://www.sinodefence.com/strategic/launchvehicle/cz5.asp|archive-date=September 15, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/cznglv.htm|title=CZ-NGLV|work=astronautix.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907043022/http://astronautix.com/lvs/cznglv.htm|archive-date=September 7, 2008}}</ref> || {{Active}} || 2 (+ 4 boosters, optional [[Yuanzheng|upper stage]]) || 57 || 11.7 (including boosters)  || 854.5 || 10620 || – || – || 14,400
|-
| [[Long March 5B]] || {{Active}} || 1 (+ 4 boosters) || 53.7 || 11.7 (including boosters) || 837.5 || 10620 || 25,000 || 15,000 || –
|-
| [[Long March 6]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-09/06/content_12003432.htm|title=China starts developing Long March 6 carrier rockets for space mission|publisher=Xinhuanet News |date=September 6, 2009|access-date=2010-08-10|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102185630/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-09/06/content_12003432.htm|archive-date=November 2, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sinodefence.com/space/launcher/changzheng6.asp|title=ChangZheng 6 (Long March 6) Launch Vehicle|publisher=SinoDefence.com|date=February 20, 2009|access-date=2010-08-10 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302005031/http://www.sinodefence.com/space/launcher/changzheng6.asp|archive-date=March 2, 2009}}</ref> || {{Active}} || 3 || 29 || 3.35 || 103 || 1200  || >1,500 || 500~1,080 || – 
|-
| [[Long March 6A]] || {{Active}} || 2 (+ 4 solid fuel boosters) || 50~55 || 7.35 (including boosters) || 530 || 7230 || >8,000 || >5,000 || –
|-
| [[Long March 6C]] || {{Active}} || 2 || 43 || 3.35 || 217 || 2,376 || 4,500 || 2,000 || 1,400
|-
| [[Long March 7]] || {{Active}} || 2 (+ 4 boosters) || 53 || 7.85 (including boosters) || 597 || 7,200 || 14,000 || 5,500 || – 
|-
| [[Long March 7A]] || {{Active}} || 3 (+ 4 boosters) || 60.13–60.7 || 7.85 (including boosters) || 573 || 7,200||– ||– || 7,800
|-style="background:#cfc"
|-
| [[Long March 8]] || {{Active}} || 2 (2 boosters, optional) || 50.3 || 3–7.85 (including boosters) || 356.6 || 4,800 || 8,100<ref name="nsf_L8"/> || 5,000<ref name="nsf_L8"/> || 2,800<ref name="nsf_L8">{{cite news|title=Long March 8 – a future reusable rocket – conducts debut launch|author=Rui C. Barbosa |date=December 22, 2020|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/12/long-march-8-debuts-nine-satellites/|website=nasaspaceflight.com
|access-date=May 7, 2023}}</ref>
|-style="background:#cfc"
|-
| [[Long March 8A]] || {{Active}} || 2 (+ 2 boosters) || 50.5 || 3.35–7.85 (including boosters) || 371 || 4,800 || 9,800 || 7,000 || 3,500
|-style="background:#cfc"
|-
| [[Long March 9]] || {{planned}} || 3|| 114 || 10.6 || 4,369 || 60,000 || 150,000 || – || –
|-
| [[Long March 10]] || {{planned}} || 3 (+ 2 common core boosters)|| 88.5–91.6 || 15 (including boosters) || 2,187 || 26,250 || 70,000 || – || 32,000 
|-
| [[Long March 10|Long March 10A]] || {{planned}} || 3 || 88.5–91.6 || 15 (including boosters) || 2,187 || 26,250 || 70,000 || – || 32,000 
|-
| [[Long March 11]] || {{Active}} || 4 || 20.8 || ~2 || 58 || 1188 || 700 || 350 || –  
|-
| [[Long March 12]] || {{Active}} || 2 || 62 || 3.8 || 433 || 5,000 || >10,000 || 6,000 |6,000
| –
|-
| [[Long March 12|Long March 12A]] || {{Planned}} || 2 || 59 || 3.8 || 433 || 5,000 || 10,000 || 6,000 || –
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! 2A !! 2C !! 2D !! 2E !! 2F !! 3 !! 3A !! 3B !! 3C !! 4A !! 4B !! 4C
|-
| [[File:CZ-2A.svg]] || [[File:CZ-2C.svg]] || [[Image:CZ-2D.svg]] || [[File:CZ-2E.svg]] || [[Image:CZ-2F.svg]] || [[Image:CZ-3.svg]] || [[Image:CZ-3A.svg]] || [[File:CZ-3B.svg]] || [[Image:CZ-3C.svg]] || [[Image:CZ-4A.svg]] || [[Image:CZ-4B.svg]] || [[Image:CZ-4C.svg]]
|}

=== Long March 8 ===

{{Main|Long March 8}}
The Long March 8 is a new series of launch vehicles, which is geared towards [[Sun-synchronous orbit]] (SSO) launches.<ref>{{cite web|title=中国长征系列运载火箭大家族将添六大新成员-中新网|url=http://www.chinanews.com/mil/2015/03-07/7109962.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150312224123/http://www.chinanews.com/mil/2015/03-07/7109962.shtml|archive-date=March 12, 2015|access-date=March 8, 2015}}</ref> In early 2017, it was expected to be based on the Long March 7, and have two solid fuel boosters, and first launch by the end of 2018.<ref name="LM8-2017">{{cite web|author=Jones|date=February 2017|title=hina is aiming to launch a new Long March 8 rocket|url=https://gbtimes.com/china-launch-new-long-march-8-rocket-end-2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320043801/https://gbtimes.com/china-launch-new-long-march-8-rocket-end-2018|archive-date=March 20, 2018|access-date=2018-03-19|website=gbtimes.com}}</ref> By 2019, it was intended to be partially reusable. The first stage will have legs and grid fins (like [[Falcon 9]]) and it may land with side boosters still attached.<ref name="LM8-2020">[http://www.parabolicarc.com/2020/01/19/meet-the-long-march-8/ ''Meet the Long March 8'' - January 2020] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200120050248/http://www.parabolicarc.com/2020/01/19/meet-the-long-march-8/|date=20 January 2020}} Includes CGI image of first stage landing</ref> The first Long March 8 was rolled out to for a test launch on or around 20 December 2020 and launched on 22 December 2020.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Andrew|date=December 18, 2020|title=China rolls out Long March 8 rocket for weekend test flight|publisher=SpaceNews|url=https://spacenews.com/china-rolls-out-long-march-8-rocket-for-weekend-test-flight/|access-date=December 21, 2020}}</ref> The second flight with no side boosters occurred on 27 February 2022, sending a national record of 22 satellites into [[Sun-synchronous orbit|SSO]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |url=https://spacenews.com/china-launches-national-record-22-satellites-on-long-march-8-commercial-rideshare/ |title=China launches national record 22 satellites on Long March 8 commercial rideshare |work=[[SpaceNews]] |date=27 February 2022 |access-date=1 March 2022}}</ref>

=== Future development ===

==== Long March 9 ====

{{main|Long March 9}}
The Long March 9 (LM-9, CZ-9, or Changzheng 9, Chinese: 长征九号) is a Chinese super-heavy carrier rocket concept proposed in 2018 <ref>{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Andrew|url=https://spacenews.com/china-reveals-details-for-super-heavy-lift-long-march-9-and-reusable-long-march-8-rockets/|title=China reveals details for super-heavy-lift Long March 9 and reusable Long March 8 rockets|publisher=SpaceNews|date=5 July 2018 |access-date=1 March 2021}}</ref> that is currently in study. It is planned for a maximum payload capacity of 140,000&nbsp;kg <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americaspace.com/?p=22881|title=First Look: China's Big New Rockets|publisher=AmericaSpace|date=July 18, 2012|access-date=August 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170120045327/http://www.americaspace.com/?p=22881|archive-date=January 20, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> to [[low Earth orbit]] (LEO), 50,000&nbsp;kg to [[trans-lunar injection]] or 44,000&nbsp;kg to [[Mars]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scitech.people.com.cn/GB/14054670.html|title=梁小虹委员：我国重型运载火箭正着手立项 与美俄同步|website=scitech.people.com.cn|access-date=June 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728134540/http://scitech.people.com.cn/GB/14054670.html|archive-date=July 28, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="spacenewsJuly18">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com//world/china/china-aims-to-outstrip-nasa-with-super-powerful-rocket/articleshow/64829693.cms?|title=China reveals details for super-heavy-lift Long March 9 and reusable Long March 8 rockets|date=5 July 2018|access-date=7 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801122726/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com//world/china/china-aims-to-outstrip-nasa-with-super-powerful-rocket/articleshow/64829693.cms|archive-date=August 1, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Its first flight is expected by 2028 or 2029 in preparation for a lunar landing sometime in the 2030s;<ref name="ars-20210224">{{cite web|last=Berger|first=Eric |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/02/china-officially-plans-to-move-ahead-with-super-heavy-long-march-9-rocket/ |title=China officially plans to move ahead with super-heavy Long March 9 rocket |publisher=Ars Technica|date=24 February 2021|access-date=1 March 2021}}</ref> a sample return mission from Mars has been proposed as first major mission.<ref name="spacenewsJuly18"/> It has been stated that around 70% of the hardware and components needed for a test flight are currently undergoing testing, with the first engine test to occur by the end of 2018. The 2011 proposed design would be a three-staged rocket, with the initial core having a diameter of 10 meters and use a cluster of four engines. Multiple variants of the rocket have been proposed, CZ-9 being the largest with four liquid-fuel boosters with the aforementioned LEO payload capacity of 140,000&nbsp;kg, CZ-9A having just two boosters and a LEO payload capacity of 100,000&nbsp;kg, and finally CZ-9B having just the core stage and a LEO payload capacity of 50,000&nbsp;kg.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.popsci.com/china-aims-for-humanitys-return-to-moon-in-2030s|title=China Aims for Humanity's Return to the Moon in the 2030s|website=popsci.com|date=2016-05-05|access-date=2018-07-14|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508225643/https://www.popsci.com/china-aims-for-humanitys-return-to-moon-in-2030s|archive-date=2016-05-08}}</ref> Approved in 2021, the Long March 9 is classified as a [[super heavy-lift launch vehicle]].<ref name="ars-20210224"/> A very different design of LM-9 was announced in June 2021, with more engines and no external boosters.<ref>[https://www.thespacereview.com/article/4347/1 ''Red Heaven: China sets its sights on the stars (part 1)'']</ref> Payload capacities are 160 tonnes to LEO and 53 tonnes to TLI.<ref>{{cite web|date=2022-04-25|title=China National Space Day|url=https://kevinjamesng.com/2022/04/25/cnsa-chinanationalspaceadministration-%E5%9B%BD%E5%AE%B6%E8%88%AA%E5%A4%A9%E5%B1%80-beltandroadinitiative-apirl2022%E4%B8%AD%E5%9B%BD%E5%A4%A9%E6%96%87%E6%97%A5-chinaspaceday-%E9%95%BF/|access-date=2022-04-27|website=kevinjamesng.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2022-04-27|title=10 more engines!The Long March 9 rocket has a new configuration, which is thicker and taller and can be reused|url=https://inf.news/en/military/5249f3bc1a4f016c8781df63714ee5e3.html|access-date=2022-04-27|website=inf.news}}</ref>

==== Long March 10 ====
{{main|Long March 10}}
The [[Long March 10]], previously known as the "921 rocket", <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://m.ithome.com/html/675669.htm |title=我国新一代载人运载火箭命名为"长征十号"，将用于登月任务|author=汪淼 |date=2023-02-24 |publisher=IT之家 |language=zh-hans |accessdate=2023-02-25 }}</ref> is under development for crewed lunar missions. The nickname "921" refers to the founding date of China's [[Shenzhou program|human spaceflight program]]. Like the Long March 5, it uses 5-meter (16.4&nbsp;ft) diameter rocket bodies and [[YF-100]]K engines, although with 7 engines on each of 3 cores.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lund|first1=J.|url=https://j-lund.medium.com/chinas-mysterious-manned-moon-rocket-5d37068c2480|title=China's Mysterious Manned Moon Rocket|date=October 7, 2020}}</ref><ref name="sn-20211217">{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |date=17 December 2021 |title=China's new rocket for crewed moon missions to launch around 2026 |url=https://spacenews.com/chinas-new-rocket-for-crewed-moon-missions-to-launch-around-2026/ |access-date=19 December 2021 |work=[[SpaceNews]]}}</ref> The launch weight is 2187 tonnes, delivering 25 tonnes into trans-lunar injection.<ref name="space_jones_921">{{cite web|last1=Jones|first1=Andrew|url=https://www.space.com/china-rocket-for-crewed-moon-missions|title=China is building a new rocket to fly its astronauts on the Moon|date=October 1, 2020|publisher=SPACE.com}}</ref> The proposed crewed lunar mission uses two rockets; the [[Next-generation crewed spacecraft|crewed spacecraft]] and lunar landing stack launch separately and rendezvous in lunar orbit.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jones|first1=Andrew|url=https://spacenews.com/china-outlines-architecture-for-future-crewed-moon-landings/|title=China outlines architecture for future crewed moon landings |date=October 30, 2020|newspaper=SpaceNews}}</ref> Development was announced at the 2020 China Space Conference.<ref name="space_jones_921"/> As of 2022, the first flight of this triple-cored rocket is targeted for 2027.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |url=https://www.space.com/china-crew-launching-moon-rocket-2027-debut |title=China's huge new crew-launching moon rocket could fly for 1st time in 2027 |work=[[Space.com]] |date=11 November 2022 |access-date=18 November 2022}}</ref>