Long March 5

Active

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)

Nov. 3, 2016

Description

Long March 5 is a Chinese heavy lift launch system developed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT). CZ-5 is the first Chinese vehicle designed from the ground up to focus on non-hypergolic liquid rocket propellants. Currently, two CZ-5 vehicle configurations are planned, with maximum payload capacities of ~25,000 kilograms (55,000 lb) to LEO and ~14,000 kilograms (31,000 lb) to GTO. The Long March 5 roughly matches the capabilities of American EELV heavy-class vehicles such as the Delta IV Heavy.

Specifications
  • Stages
    2
  • Length
    57.0 m
  • Diameter
    5.0 m
  • Fairing Diameter
  • Launch Mass
    867.0 T
  • Thrust
    10600.0 kN
Family
  • Name
    Long March 5
  • Family
  • Variant
  • Alias
  • Full Name
    Long March 5
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
  • Low Earth Orbit
    25000.0 kg
  • Geostationary Transfer Orbit
    14000.0 kg
  • Direct Geostationary
  • Sun-Synchronous Capacity

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

Government
Chairman & President: Lei Fanpei
CASC 1999

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It is state-owned and has a number of subordinate entities which design, develop and manufacture a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, strategic and tactical missile systems, and ground equipment. It was officially established in July 1999 as part of a Chinese government reform drive, having previously been one part of the former China Aerospace Corporation. Various incarnations of the program date back to 1956.

Upcoming Spaceflights


Long March 5 | Chang'e 7

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China
TBD August, 2026
Status: To Be Determined
Mission:

Chang'e 7/CE-7 is scheduled to launch in 2026, including an orbiter, a lander, a mini-hopping probe, and a rover. The mission will land in the South Pole regions of the Moon to study lunar surface environment around the South Pole, especially in looking for water ice in lunar soil.

Lunar Orbit
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Long March 5 | TJSW-23

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China
Dec. 20, 2025, 12:30 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

Chinese classified satellite claimed to be for communication technology test purposes. Actual mission not known.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit
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Long March 5 | TJSW-20

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation | China
Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China
Oct. 23, 2025, 2:30 p.m.
Status: Launch Successful
Mission:

Chinese classified satellite claimed to be for communication technology test purposes. Actual mission not known.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit
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Long March 2D
Success
3 days, 15 hours ago
4 x SatNet test satellites
Launch Complex 3 (LC-3/LA-1) - Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Officially described as "Satellite-Internet Technology Demonstration Satellites". Probably 4 test satellites for the Chinese state-owned LEO commu…


Falcon 9
Success
3 days, 17 hours ago
Starlink Group 17-41
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 24 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Atlas V 551
Success
4 days, 9 hours ago
Amazon Leo (LA-07)
Space Launch Complex 41 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

Amazon Leo, formerly known as Project Kuiper, is a mega constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit that will offer broadband internet access, thi…


Falcon 9
Success
4 days, 20 hours ago
Starlink Group 10-53
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Long March 7A
Success
1 week ago
TJSW-24
201 - Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China

Chinese classified satellite claimed to be for communication technology test purposes. Actual mission not known.