China’s Long March-12A carrier rocket completed its inaugural launch on Tuesday morning, December 23, 2025, marking a milestone in the nation’s reusable space technology efforts. While the second stage of the rocket successfully entered its preset orbit, the first-stage recovery test fell short of expectations, according to official reports.
As the second liquid oxygen-methane-powered rocket developed by the Chinese mainland to attempt recovery during its maiden flight, the mission has generated critical data for refining reusable launch systems. Analysts highlight that the partial success underscores both progress and challenges in China’s push to reduce space mission costs through recoverable rocket technology.
Space industry experts note that the Long March-12A’s flight aligns with broader ambitions to advance the country’s aerospace capabilities, including plans for lunar exploration and a permanent space station. The Chinese National Space Administration emphasized that lessons from this test will accelerate technical upgrades for future missions.
