Dossier
Long March 12B
Coverage of Long March 12B in the Nexus archive.
- China launches debut mission of Falcon 9-like rocket with no advance notice (video)
China launched its partially reusable Long March 12B rocket for the first time on June 1, 2026. The mission, compared to SpaceX's Falcon 9, did not attempt to land the rocket's first stage.
- In a surprise launch, China debuts another big rocket designed for reusability
China launched the Long March 12B rocket, a reusable orbital-class vehicle backed by state-owned aerospace resources, intensifying competition with private companies in the race to develop reusable rockets. Unlike the U.S. competition dominated by SpaceX and Blue Origin, China's state and private sector are both vying for leadership in reusable rocket technology.