Long March 5 / launch vehicle
sourcingtypical 4/5 · 15 factsLong 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.
key details
faq
Who builds Long March 5?
Long March 5 is built by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
How many times has Long March 5 flown?
Long March 5 has flown 9 times. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
When did Long March 5 first fly?
Long March 5 first flew on 2016-11-03. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
Is Long March 5 reusable?
Long March 5 is not reusable. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
facts
timeline
- 20222022-10-31Long March 5B launches Mengtian (source, as of 2026-07-12)
- 2022-07-24Long March 5B launches Wentian (source, as of 2026-07-12)
- 20202020-07-23Long March 5 launches Tianwen 1 (source, as of 2026-07-12)
- 2020-05-05Long March 5B debuts carrying XZF-SC / RCS-FC-SC (source, as of 2026-07-12)
- 20192019-12-27Long March 5 returns to flight carrying Shijian-20 (source, as of 2026-07-12)
- 20172017-07-02Long March 5 fails on second flight carrying Shijian-18 (source, as of 2026-07-12)
- 20162016-11-03Long March 5 completes maiden flight carrying Shijian-17 (source, as of 2026-07-12)