China Joins the Reusable Rocket Club with a Net Catch

On July 10, 2026, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) launched the Long March 10B rocket from Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site. Approximately 10 minutes after liftoff, the rocket's first stage performed a controlled descent and was captured by a tensioned net system on an offshore recovery vessel in the South China Sea. This makes CASC the third organization—after SpaceX (Falcon 9, 2015; Starship, 2024) and Blue Origin (New Glenn, 2025)—to recover an orbital-class booster.

How It Works: Net Capture Instead of Landing Legs

Unlike SpaceX's Falcon 9, which lands on legs, or Starship, which is caught by mechanical arms on the launch tower, the Long March 10B uses a different approach. The booster descends into a four-legged frame mounted on a ship, with tensioned cables arranged in a grid to catch the rocket as it shuts down its engines. This method eliminates the need for landing legs, reducing structural mass and preserving payload capacity. Recovery downrange also saves fuel that would otherwise be needed for a return-to-launch-site burn.

Technical Specs: 16 Metric Tons to LEO

The Long March 10B is a medium-lift rocket with a payload capacity of approximately 16 metric tons (35,000 pounds) to low-Earth orbit—slightly less than Falcon 9. It stands 209 feet (63.6 meters) tall, with two stages. The first stage is powered by seven YF-100K kerosene/liquid oxygen engines, generating nearly 2 million pounds of thrust. The second stage uses a single methane-fueled YF-219 engine.

Validation of Key Technologies

CASC stated the flight validated multiple core technologies for reusable launch:

  • Multiple engine restarts with high-altitude ignition
  • High-precision navigation and control during descent
  • First capture and recovery using a net system on a sea-based platform

The upper stage continued to orbit and deployed a payload designated CX-26. Chinese officials called the flight a "complete success."

Part of a Larger Lunar Program

The Long March 10B shares its first stage with the Long March 10A, which is designed for crewed missions to China's Tiangong space station using the new Mengzhou spacecraft. A heavier variant, the Long March 10, will combine three Long March 10 first-stage boosters to support China's planned crewed lunar landing by 2030. Friday's test is a stepping stone toward that goal.

Competitive Landscape: Catching Up to SpaceX

SpaceX's Falcon 9 has demonstrated rapid reuse, enabling a launch cadence that far exceeds any other operator. China aims to close that gap. Two previous Chinese recovery attempts failed: LandSpace's Zhuque-3 crashed near its landing zone in December 2025, and the Long March 12A lost control during descent. The Long March 10B's success positions China to accelerate its launch rate, with CASC planning to complete the first stage reuse flight test by end of 2026.

US military officials have expressed concern about China's growing reusable rocket capabilities. Maj. Gen. Brian Sidari noted that reusable lift would allow China to "put more capability on orbit at a quicker cadence." Charles Galbreath, retired US Space Force colonel, said China is "trying to replicate" SpaceX's work while potentially using it for military advantage.

What's Next

CASC will continue optimizing the Long March 10B's performance and aims to complete a full reuse flight test by the end of 2026. Meanwhile, LandSpace may attempt another Zhuque-3 landing soon, and other Chinese companies like Space Pioneer, CAS Space, and i-Space are developing reusable rockets. The race for orbital reuse is heating up, with implications for both commercial space and national security.