Rocket launch capability is the core indicator of a nation’s aerospace strength, determining the breadth and depth of its ability to enter, utilize, and explore space. Especially in today’s increasingly fierce space competition, whether a nation can deliver effective payloads into space has become a critical bargaining chip that dictates strategic initiative. Payloads must be sent into space via rockets, and rocket launches require launch pads. Generally speaking, if one knows the number of launch pads, which rockets each pad can support, the minimum turnaround time between two launches on a single pad, and the carrying capacity of those rockets, a rough estimate of the annual payload capacity delivered into space can be derived.
Currently, China’s launch framework comprises four traditional launch centers (Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, Xichang Satellite Launch Center, Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, and Wenchang Space Launch Site), the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site, and the Haiyang Oriental Spaceport. Taking the 2025 data as an example, let’s take a broad look at exactly how much payload capacity China possesses to send into space at this current stage.
1. Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
(1) Launch Pad 94
Launch Pad 94 utilizes a “horizontal preparation, vertical assembly, and vertical checkout” (one horizontal, two vertical) integration and launch method, sharing a technical zone with Pad 921. It is mainly used to launch the Long March 2C (CZ-2C), Long March 2D (CZ-2D), Long March 4B (CZ-4B), and Long March 4C (CZ-4C).
Long March 2C: In 2025, Launch Pad 94 launched the Long March 2C rocket 3 times, on: Feb 27, 2025; Sep 16, 2025; and Nov 19, 2025.
Long March 2D: In 2025, Launch Pad 94 launched the Long March 2D rocket 6 times, on: Jan 17, 2025; Mar 15, 2025; Apr 01, 2025; May 14, 2025; Jun 14, 2025; and Oct 13, 2025.
Long March 4B: In 2025, Launch Pad 94 launched the Long March 4B rocket 3 times, on: May 29, 2025; Dec 09, 2025; and Dec 30, 2025.
Long March 4C: In 2025, Launch Pad 94 launched the Long March 4C rocket 1 time, on Sep 27, 2025.
From this, it can be seen that the annual launch frequency of Launch Pad 94 can reach 13 times, with the shortest launch interval being around 15 days.
The capacities of these rockets are as follows:
Long March 2C:
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) payload: 4.7 tons (CZ-2C (Ph.3))
Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) payload (700 km): 2.5 tons (CZ-2C (Ph.3))
Long March 2D:
LEO payload: 4 tons
SSO payload: 1.9 tons (500 km)
Long March 4B:
SSO payload: 2.5 tons (700 km)
Long March 4C:
SSO payload: 3 tons (700 km)
(2) Launch Pad 130
This is the dedicated launch pad for Kinetica-1 (Lijian-1). In 2025, it performed a total of 5 launches, on May 21, Aug 19, Oct 19, Nov 09, and Dec 10, respectively. The shortest launch interval was around 20 days.
Kinetica-1 Capacity:
LEO payload: 2 tons (500 km, 40°)
SSO payload: 1.5 tons (500 km)
(3) Launch Pad 140
This is the dedicated launch pad for Kinetica-2 (Lijian-2).
Kinetica-2 Capacity:
LEO payload: 12 tons
SSO payload: 8 tons (500 km); 5.6 tons (700 km)
(4) Launch Pad 96A
Used for launching Zhuque-2 and its strapped-on configurations. In 2025, it launched the Zhuque-2E twice.
Zhuque-2E Capacity:
LEO payload: 6 tons (200 km)
SSO payload: 4 tons (500 km)
(5) Launch Pad 96B
This is the dedicated launch pad for Zhuque-3.
Zhuque-3 Capacity:
LEO payload:
11.8 tons (Base model, expendable)
8 tons (Base model, downrange recovery)
21.3 tons (Enhanced model, expendable)
18.3 tons (Enhanced model, downrange recovery)
(6) Launch Pad 95A
Capable of launching rockets such as the Long March 11, Kuaizhou-1, Kuaizhou-1A, Kuaizhou-11, Jielong-1 (Smart Dragon 1), Zhuque-1, Hyperbola-1, and Ceres-1.
Kuaizhou-1A: In 2025, Launch Pad 95A launched the Kuaizhou-1A rocket 1 time, on Dec 05, 2025.
Kuaizhou-11: In 2025, Launch Pad 95A launched the Kuaizhou-11 rocket 1 time, on Dec 13, 2025.
Hyperbola-1: In 2025, Launch Pad 95A launched the Hyperbola-1 rocket 1 time, on Jul 29, 2025.
Ceres-1: In 2025, Launch Pad 95A launched the Ceres-1 rocket 5 times, on: Jan 20, Mar 17, Mar 21, Sep 05, and Nov 10, 2025.
Therefore, in 2025, Launch Pad 95A executed a total of 8 launches, with the shortest interval being around 8 days. The capacities of these rockets are:
Kuaizhou-1A Capacity:
LEO payload: 500 kg (500 km, 45°, Upgraded version)
SSO payload: 360 kg (500 km, Upgraded version); 300 kg (700 km, Upgraded version)
Kuaizhou-11 Capacity:
LEO payload: 1.5 tons
SSO payload: 1 ton (700 km)
Hyperbola-1 Capacity:
LEO payload: >520 kg
SSO payload: ≥300 kg (500 km, 1.6 m fairing)
Ceres-1 Capacity:
LEO payload: 420 kg (200 km)
SSO payload: 300 kg (500 km); 270 kg (700 km)
(7) Space Pioneer (Tianbing Technology) Launch Pad
The exclusive pad for Tianlong-3.
Tianlong-3 Capacity:
LEO payload: ≥10 tons (Jiuquan, 800 km, 90°)
SSO payload: 10–17 tons (500 km)
(8) Galactic Energy (Xinghe Dongli) Launch Pad
The dedicated launch pad for the Pallas-1 series, utilizing a “horizontal preparation, horizontal transportation, and horizontal integration” (three horizontal) test-and-launch method.
Pallas-1 Capacity:
LEO payload: 7 tons
SSO payload: 3 tons (700 km)
(9) Aerospace Propulsion (Shanghuo Company) Launch Pad
The dedicated launch pad for the Long March 12 series launch vehicles.
Long March 12A Capacity:
LEO payload:
≮9 tons (200 km, expendable)
≮6 tons (200 km, first-stage downrange recovery)
≮3 tons (500 km, first-stage downrange recovery)
SSO payload: 7 tons (expendable)
(10) Launch Pad 921
The dedicated launch pad for the Long March 2F. In 2025, the Long March 2F completed a total of 3 launches.
Long March 2F Capacity:
LEO payload: 8.8 tons (200 km × 350 km, 42°)
2. Xichang Satellite Launch Center
(1) Launch Pad 2
Mainly used to launch the Long March 3A, Long March 3B, and Long March 3C.
Long March 3B: In 2025, Launch Pad 2 launched the Long March 3B rocket 8 times, on: Jan 23, Feb 22, Mar 26, Apr 27, May 29, Jun 20, Nov 21, and Dec 27.
Long March 3C: In 2025, Launch Pad 2 launched the Long March 3C rocket 1 time, on Sep 05, 2025.
Consequently, Launch Pad 2 undertook a total of 9 launch missions in 2025, with the shortest turnaround time being around 22 days.
Long March 3B Capacity:
LEO payload: >11.5 tons (theoretical)
SSO payload (500 km): >4.5 tons (CZ-3B/E G5)
Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) payload: >5.55 tons (CZ-3B/E G2)
Lunar Transfer Orbit (LTO) payload: >3.78 tons (CZ-3B/E G2)
Long March 3C Capacity:
GTO payload: 3.9 tons
(2) Launch Pad 3
Mainly used to launch the Long March 3A and Long March 3B, it can also launch Long March 2C, Long March 2D, Long March 4B, and Long March 4C rockets.
Long March 3B: In 2025, Launch Pad 3 launched the Long March 3B rocket 5 times, on: Jan 07, Mar 10, Apr 11, Oct 26, and Dec 09.
Long March 2D: In 2025, Launch Pad 3 launched the Long March 2D rocket 1 time, on Sep 29, 2025.
Long March 4C: In 2025, Launch Pad 3 launched the Long March 4C rocket 2 times, on Jul 03 and Aug 17, respectively.
As a result, Launch Pad 3 conducted a total of 8 launches in 2025, with the shortest interval being around 27 days.
Long March 3B Capacity:
LEO payload: >11.5 tons (theoretical)
SSO payload (500 km): >4.5 tons (CZ-3B/E G5)
GTO payload: >5.55 tons (CZ-3B/E G2)
LTO payload: >3.78 tons (CZ-3B/E G2)
Long March 2D Capacity:
LEO payload: 4 tons
SSO payload:
1.9 tons (CZ-2D, 500 km)
1.3 tons (CZ-2D, 700 km)
2.1 tons (CZ-2D/YZ-3, 1000 km)
GTO payload: 1.35 tons
LTO payload: 0.6 tons
(3) Launch Pad Flat Area (Changping)
Can be used to launch Long March 11 and Kuaizhou-1A rockets.
Kuaizhou-1A: In 2025, the flat area of Xichang Satellite Launch Center conducted 1 launch of the Kuaizhou-1A rocket on Jul 31, 2025.
Kuaizhou-1A Capacity:
LEO payload: 500 kg (500 km, 45°, Upgraded version)
SSO payload: 360 kg (500 km, Upgraded version); 300 kg (700 km, Upgraded version)
3. Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center
(1) Launch Pad 9
Used for launching Long March 2C, Long March 2D, Long March 4B, and Long March 4C vehicles.
Long March 4B: In 2025, Launch Pad 9 conducted 1 launch of the Long March 4B rocket on Dec 16, 2025.
(2) Launch Pad 16
Used for launching Long March 6 and Kuaizhou-1A vehicles.
Long March 6: In 2025, Launch Pad 16 launched the Long March 6 rocket twice, on Apr 03 and Apr 25, respectively. On April 25, 2026, the Long March 6 was retired after executing its final mission.
Long March 6 Capacity:
LEO payload: >1.5 tons
SSO payload (700 km): 500 kg–1080 kg
(3) Launch Pad 9A
Used for launching Long March 6A and Long March 6C vehicles.
Long March 6A: In 2025, Launch Pad 9A launched the Long March 6A rocket 10 times, on: Jan 23, Apr 19, May 11, Jun 06, Jul 27, Aug 17, Sep 07, Sep 27, Oct 17, and Dec 09.
Long March 6A Capacity:
LEO payload: >8 tons
SSO payload: >6.5 tons (500 km); >5 tons (700 km)
(4) Launch Pad Flat Area (Changping)
Can be used to launch the Kuaizhou-1A.
4. Wenchang Space Launch Site
(1) Launch Pad 101
Launches Long March 5 and Long March 5B vehicles.
Long March 5: In 2025, Launch Pad 101 launched the Long March 5 rocket twice, on Oct 23 and Dec 20, respectively.
Long March 5B: In 2025, Launch Pad 101 launched the Long March 5B rocket twice, on Apr 29 and Aug 13, respectively.
Thus, Launch Pad 101 completed a total of 4 launch missions in 2025, with the shortest interval being around 58 days.
Long March 5 Capacity:
LEO payload: >32 tons (theoretical value)
SSO payload (700 km): >15 tons
GTO payload: >14 tons
LTO payload: >8.35 tons
Mars Transfer Orbit (MTO) payload: >5.2 tons
Long March 5B Capacity:
LEO payload: 23.9 tons (LEO/CSS); >25 tons (LEO)
(2) Launch Pad 201
Launches Long March 7, Long March 7A, Long March 8, and Long March 8A vehicles.
Long March 7: In 2025, Launch Pad 201 conducted 1 launch of the Long March 7 rocket on Jul 15, 2025.
Long March 7A: In 2025, Launch Pad 201 launched the Long March 7A rocket 6 times, on: Mar 30, May 20, Sep 09, Nov 03, Nov 30, and Dec 31.
Long March 8: In 2025, Launch Pad 201 conducted 1 launch of the Long March 8 rocket on Mar 12, 2025.
Long March 8A: In 2025, Launch Pad 201 conducted 1 launch of the Long March 8A rocket on Feb 11, 2025.
Therefore, Launch Pad 201 undertook a total of 9 launch missions in 2025, with the shortest turnaround time being around 27 days.
Long March 7 Capacity:
LEO payload: 14 tons (LEO/CSS)
SSO payload: 5.5 tons (700 km)
Long March 7A Capacity:
LEO payload: 17 tons (theoretical value)
GTO payload: >7 tons
LTO payload: 5 tons
Long March 8 Capacity:
LEO payload: 8.1 tons (CZ-822(HO)); 4.5 tons (CZ-820(HO))
SSO payload (700 km): 5.5 tons (CZ-822(HO)); 3 tons (CZ-820(HO))
GTO payload: 2.8 tons (CZ-822(HO)); 1 ton (CZ-820(HO))
LTO payload: ≮1.3 tons (CZ-822(HO))
Long March 8A Capacity:
LEO payload: 7.5 tons (1100 km, 50°)
SSO payload: 7 tons (700 km); 6.8 tons (900 km)
GTO payload: 3.5 tons
5. Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site
(1) Launch Pad 1
The dedicated launch pad for the Long March 8 series. The rocket occupies the pad for 7 days before launch, with a 7-day post-launch recovery period. It has a designed annual launch capacity of 16 flights. On March 12, 2025, Hainan Commercial Launch Pad 1 completed its maiden flight. As of May 31, 2026, Pad 1 has executed a total of 10 launch missions, on: Mar 12, 2025; Jul 30, 2025; Aug 26, 2025; Oct 16, 2025; Dec 06, 2025; Dec 26, 2025; Jan 13, 2026; Mar 13, 2026; Apr 07, 2026; and May 17, 2026. Among these, the Long March 8 was launched 3 times and the Long March 8A 7 times.
Long March 8 Capacity:
LEO payload: 8.1 tons (CZ-822(HO)); 4.5 tons (CZ-820(HO))
SSO payload (700 km): 5.5 tons (CZ-822(HO)); 3 tons (CZ-820(HO))
GTO payload: 2.8 tons (CZ-822(HO)); 1 ton (CZ-820(HO))
LTO payload: ≮1.3 tons (CZ-822(HO))
Long March 8A Capacity:
LEO payload: 7.5 tons (1100 km, 50°)
SSO payload: 7 tons (700 km); 6.8 tons (900 km)
GTO payload: 3.5 tons
(2) Launch Pad 2
A universal liquid propellant launch pad, compatible with 19 rocket models from 10 different commercial rocket companies. The rocket occupies the pad for 3 days before launch, with a 7-day post-launch recovery period. It has a designed annual launch capacity of 16 flights. On November 30, 2024, Hainan Commercial Launch Pad 2 completed its maiden flight. As of May 31, 2026, Pad 2 has executed a total of 5 launch missions, on: Nov 30, 2024; Aug 04, 2025; Nov 10, 2025; Dec 12, 2025; and Jan 19, 2026. All launched vehicles were Long March 12 rockets.
Long March 12 Capacity:
LEO payload: ≮12 tons (200 km); ≮10 tons (300 km)
SSO payload (700 km): ≮6 tons
(3) Launch Pads 3 and 4 (Under Construction)
The cumulative designed annual launch capacity of Pad 3 and Pad 4 will be no less than 32 flights.
6. Haiyang Oriental Spaceport
Capable of launching vehicles such as the Jielong-3 (Smart Dragon 3), Ceres-1, Gravity-1 (Yinli-1), and Long March 11.
Jielong-3: In 2025, the Jielong-3 was launched 4 times from the Oriental Spaceport, on: Jan 13, Aug 09, Sep 09, and Sep 24.
Ceres-1: In 2025, the Ceres-1 was launched 1 time from the Oriental Spaceport on May 19, 2025.
Gravity-1: In 2025, the Gravity-1 was launched 1 time from the Oriental Spaceport on Oct 11, 2025.
Long March 11: In 2025, the Long March 11 was launched 1 time from the Oriental Spaceport on Nov 09, 2025.
Thus, in 2025, the Oriental Spaceport executed a total of 7 launch missions, with the shortest interval being around 15 days.
Jielong-3 Capacity:
LEO payload (650 km, 55°): 1.6 tons
SSO payload (500 km): 1.5 tons
Ceres-1 Capacity:
LEO payload: 420 kg (200 km)
SSO payload: 300 kg (500 km); 270 kg (700 km)
Gravity-1 Capacity:
LEO payload: 6.5 tons
SSO payload:
4.2 tons (500 km, solid upper stage)
5.9 tons (500 km, liquid upper stage)
Long March 11 Capacity:
LEO payload: 700 kg
SSO payload: 500 kg (500 km); 420 kg (700 km)