Long March 12A • Inaugural flight

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) launched the first Long March 12A rocket. This was CASC’s first attempt to fly an orbital-class rocket with a reusable first stage booster. It targeted a vertical landing on a landing zone pad located about 250 km (155 mi) downrange, but was unsuccessful. The two unnamed satellites onboard were reportedly successfully delivered to orbit. Delayed from Dec. 16/17.