With the recent launch of CZ-12, China's lunar rocket program has taken a major step forward. Why? Let's talk about CZ-12 relationship to China's lunar rocket, aka CZ-10.

CZ-12 launched in Nov 30.

CZ-12 is designed by Shanghai Academy for Spaceflight Technology. CZ-12 is derived from the SAST's competing proposal for manned lunar rocket. It’s designed with a 3.8 m diameter body that facilitate it to be transported by rail across whole China.

With the 3.8 m diameter, it can house four YF-100K engine.

CZ-12 four engine configuration test. In SAST lunar rocket design, a core stage is used with four booster of the same 3.8 m diameter. Each using four engines for a total of 20 YF-200K.

China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology lunar rocket proposal used 5 m diameter core, each with seven YF-100 engine (3 YF-100K swerving engine + 4 YF-100L static engine). For lunar mission, a CBC configuration provided for a total of 21 YF-100 engines. This design won out and is selected as the current lunar rocket CZ-10.

To stuff 7 YF-100 engine into 5 m diameter stage, redesigned YF-100K is needed.

CZ-10 without booster will be used to launch LEO spacecraft. Compared to CZ-5. This version will launch in 2026.

CZ-10 lunar mission version in CBC configuration with three 5 m diameter stage. This version will launch in 2027.

CZ-10 5 m diameter fairing separation test.

Notice the fairing is not a cone shape, it's because the lunar spacecraft will have the reentry module exposed. The fairing only need to cover the mission module with its solar panel folded during launch.

Lanyue lunar lander.

Compared to YF-100F, YF-100K is more streamlined, opmitized, designed for resuability and swerving for recoverable stage. Without the more streamlined redesign, even 5 m diameter stage can only house 4 YF-100, the streamline design make it possible to house 7 engines.

YF-100K single engine swerving test. The first single engine YF-100K test was conducted around mid 2023. It was conducted six times for a total burning time of 3,300 sec.

CZ10 YF-100K in three engine configuration test conducted in Jun 14 this year. Up to this test, all YF-100K engines were tested on the ground.

SAST used their lunar rocket candidate 3.8 m core with four YF-100K to come up with the CZ-12. Used mainly for commercial launch. Its maiden launch took place at the newly built Wenchange commercial launch site, prepared for up to 19 type of commercial rockets. With the launch of CZ-12, YF-100K engines has achieved its first flight.

The next version CZ-12B will be a recoverable rocket.

In preparation for the next recoverable CZ-12B, SAST conducted a 10 km Hopping test earlier this year.

The 10 km hopping test was conducted in Jun 28 this year. Next year a 70 km hopping test will be attempted. Follow by the first recoverable CZ-12B launch in 2025.

In future, both CZ-10 and CZ-12 (and CZ-8, CZ-9) will all have recoverable version. Recovering method include capturing mechansim.