China Lands a Reusable Rocket for the First Time
Saturday, 2026/07/11163 words3 minutes3017 reads
China has achieved a significant milestone by successfully landing a reusable rocket booster for the first time. The Long March 10B rocket launched from Hainan, China, on July 10, 2026. After the upper stage separated, the first-stage booster returned to Earth vertically and was recovered on a floating platform at sea.
This recovery represents a major test for China's space program. Traditionally, rocket stages are discarded after launch, making space missions very expensive. By reusing boosters, the cost of sending satellites and spacecraft into orbit can be significantly reduced.
The Long March 10B uses an innovative landing system with hooks that catch a net attached to the sea platform. This approach differs from SpaceX's Falcon 9, which lands directly on ground pads or drone ships. China had previously attempted a recovery in February 2026, when a test booster made a controlled descent and splashed down near a platform. The successful recovery allows engineers to inspect the booster and may support future reuse tests.
