China successfully lands reusable rocket for first time, marking breakthrough in space technology

On July 10, 2026, China successfully recovered the first stage of its Long March 10B rocket during its maiden flight, marking the country's first-ever controlled rocket recovery. Launched from Hainan Island, the booster returned vertically and was caught by a sea-based net-capture platform. This breakthrough positions China alongside the United States as the only nations capable of reclaiming orbital boosters, intensifying competition with American firms like SpaceX and Blue Origin as Beijing advances its satellite internet and 2030 lunar ambitions.

Long March-10B booster landing

• ▪The Long March 10B booster was recovered approximately six minutes after stage separation on a sea-based floating platform using a net-capture system
• ▪The Long March 10B rocket lifted off at 12:15 p.m. local time on July 10, 2026, from a commercial launch site on Hainan Island, China
• ▪China successfully recovered the first-stage booster of its Long March 10B rocket during its maiden flight on July 10, 2026
• ▪The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation stated its intention to reuse the recovered first stage of the Long March 10B before the end of 2026

China-SpaceX reusable rocket competition

• ▪Elon Musk stated in October 2025 that China's reusable rocket designs added elements of Starship, such as stainless steel and methalox, to a Falcon 9 architecture
• ▪Unlike SpaceX and Blue Origin, which use deployable landing legs or mechanical arms, China's Long March 10B uses landing hooks to latch onto a net system
• ▪China is the second country after the United States to successfully recover an orbital-class reusable rocket booster

Payload capacity comparisons

• ▪The Long March 10B rocket is capable of carrying a payload of at least 16 to 17 metric tons into low-Earth orbit
• ▪The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has a maximum payload capacity of 22.8 metric tons to 25 metric tons to low-Earth orbit

China satellite internet ambitions

• ▪China's state-backed company SpaceSail has launched approximately 200 satellites since 2024 to build a rival to SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service
• ▪The Long March 10B rocket is designed to serve as a developmental steppingstone for China's planned crewed lunar missions before 2030