China lands first reusable rocket booster using world-first net system

China achieved a major milestone in reusable rocket technology on July 10, 2026, when the Long March-10B successfully completed its maiden flight from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site in Wenchang. After placing its payload into low Earth orbit, the rocket's first stage separated and returned to a seaborne recovery platform, where it was captured using a net-based recovery system—a world first.

The recovery process lasted approximately six minutes from stage separation. After coasting, attitude adjustment, powered braking, and aerodynamic deceleration, the first stage achieved a precise vertical landing and was captured by a cross-shaped, high-strength buffered arresting net system coordinated with an onboard hook mechanism. The seaborne platform, which began operations in November 2025, measures 144 by 50 meters with a displacement of 25,000 tonnes and is equipped with LiDAR units for automatic tracking and specialized cables to absorb the descending booster's energy.

China's net-based approach offers distinct advantages over traditional landing-leg systems used by SpaceX's Falcon 9. The system simplifies onboard rocket structure, reduces weight, increases payload capacity, and requires less precise landing accuracy. By eliminating heavy landing support mechanisms, the net recovery method also increases fuel efficiency and expands the effective landing zone. The Long March-10B in reusable configuration carries a maximum low Earth orbit payload of 16 tonnes, compared to the Falcon 9's 22.8 tonnes.

The achievement makes China the second nation to successfully recover an orbital rocket booster, joining SpaceX (which first achieved booster recovery in 2015) and Blue Origin (which recovered its first booster in November 2025). Officials at China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) stated plans to reuse the recovered booster by the end of 2026. The Long March-10B, standing 63 meters tall with 890 tonnes of liftoff thrust, is designed primarily for China's commercial space market and satellite internet constellations. CASC is simultaneously developing the Long March-10C variant with enhanced payload capacity, positioning the 10A, 10B, and 10C models as the backbone of China's future space transportation system.