China's Long March 10B reusable rocket achieves first sea‑net recovery

China successfully launched the Long March 10B medium‑lift launch vehicle from the Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site on 10 July 2026. After delivering its payload to orbit, the rocket’s first stage performed a controlled descent, deployed grid fins and LIDAR‑guided itself toward the recovery ship LingHang Zhe. Four arresting cables and a net‑capture gantry slowed the booster, allowing it to be secured for return to port – the world’s first sea‑net recovery of an orbital‑class booster.

The achievement places China alongside SpaceX and Blue Origin as the only entities to retrieve an orbital booster, demonstrating a major step toward reusable launch capability and lower launch costs. Analysts note that the milestone poses a long‑term competitive challenge to SpaceX, while China’s commercial launch market will now face higher performance rockets such as the Long March 12B. The successful test is seen as a “new height” for China’s space program and a catalyst for both state‑backed and private Chinese launch providers to pursue larger, reusable vehicles.

The recovery was monitored by international space agencies and industry observers, highlighting China’s expanding role in sustainable space access.