China's Reusable Rocket Technology Reaches US Parity: Long March 10B Successfully Recovered via Innovative Sea-Based Net

 

ASEAN NETWORK NEWS | China has achieved a historic milestone in its space program, demonstrating reusable rocket capabilities that now closely rival those of the United States and industry leaders like SpaceX. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) has successfully executed the country’s first-ever controlled recovery of an orbital-class rocket booster, marking a major leap forward in cost-effective space exploration.

The groundbreaking mission featured the Long March 10B rocket, which lifted off from the Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site in Hainan Province, southern China. Powered by seven kerosene-fueled engines, the massive rocket completed its primary payload deployment before its first-stage booster descended back to Earth approximately 10 minutes later.

In a striking display of engineering prowess, the returning booster did not rely on traditional landing legs. Instead, it guided itself with high precision to an offshore recovery vessel in the South China Sea. There, it was caught mid-air by a giant, tensioned grid net, leaving the smoldering booster hanging securely in the frame after its landing engines shut down. The entire unprecedented operation was broadcast by state media, highlighting the smooth execution of the recovery.

This successful test validates several core technologies critical for advanced reusable launch systems. According to CASC, these breakthroughs include multiple engine restarts with high-altitude ignition, advanced navigation and control systems, and the innovative sea-based net capture mechanism. By eliminating the need for heavy landing legs and reserved descent fuel, this method significantly optimizes payload capacity and drives down the overall cost of space launches.

With this achievement, China officially becomes the second nation in the world, after the United States, to master vertical rocket recovery and reuse. Chinese officials have hailed the flight as a "complete success," signaling a new era of competitiveness in the global space race.

Looking ahead, CASC announced that the Long March 10B development team will continue to refine the vehicle’s performance. The agency aims to accelerate the iterative upgrade of its reusable rocket technologies, with a full first-stage reuse flight test expected to be completed by the end of 2026. This rapid progression underscores China's commitment to establishing a sustainable and economically viable presence in space.