China Becomes Second Country After US to Recover Reusable Rocket
China's space program marked a major milestone Friday by successfully recovering a booster from an orbital launch, a technological feat previously achieved only by the United States, according to Chinese state media.
The recovery of the Long March 10B booster during its maiden flight marks a significant step forward in Beijing's push to slash launch costs and compete with American commercial aerospace giants.
A New Approach to Rocket Recovery
During the test of an experimental sea-based retrieval system, the rocket’s first stage separated after carrying a satellite into low-Earth orbit. Video footage released by state media showed the booster firing its engines and righting itself to slow its vertical descent toward a floating platform.
Unlike the landing legs used by U.S. companies, the Chinese booster was caught just before touchdown by a massive, shock-absorbing net.
The “net capture” system works alongside a cable network on the platform to secure the rocket using four landing hooks, according to a statement from the China National Space Administration (CNSA). While technically complex, the agency said the method reduces the risk of structural damage to the booster, making rapid refurbishment and reuse more practical. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) stated it intended to reuse the first stage from Friday’s flight before the end of the year.
The CNSA said it will “continue advancing the engineering application of reusable launch vehicles in China,” with the goal of lowering costs and increasing the frequency of high-payload missions.
Newsweek reached out to the CNSA by email with a request for comment.
Joining an Elite Tier
With the successful recovery, the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) joins an exclusive tier of aerospace entities capable of reclaiming orbital-class boosters-a field currently dominated by U.S. companies SpaceX and Blue Origin.
However, China's engineering approach differs from its American counterparts. SpaceX and Blue Origin routinely recover their Falcon 9 and New Shepard boosters via vertical landings on hard pads or autonomous drone ships using deployable landing legs. SpaceX has also pioneered a legless recovery method, using its tower-based “Chopstick” mechanical arms to catch its massive Starship booster. China’s net system represents a distinct alternative to those methods.
Capabilities and Lunar Ambitions
The Long March 10B lifted off at 12:15 p.m. local time from a commercial launch site in China's southern island province of Hainan. The flight marked the 650th mission for the Long March rocket family, state media reported.
The new rocket is capable of carrying a payload of at least 17 metric tons into low-Earth orbit. Aerospace experts note the vehicle’s capacity makes it versatile enough to deploy satellites for China's planned internet megaconstellations, while also serving as a developmental stepping stone for the country’s slated crewed lunar missions before 2030.
Contact Newsweek editors for this story: Frances Mao and Anthony Murray.
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This story was originally published July 10, 2026 at 7:52 AM.