China recovers Long March 10B first stage with net, challenging SpaceX

China has achieved a historic milestone in its space program by successfully recovering the first stage of its Long March 10B rocket after an orbital launch, marking the first time a Chinese orbital-class booster has been recovered. The event occurred on July 10, 2026, from the Wenchang spaceport on Hainan Island. The recovery used a never-before-seen net system mounted on a maritime platform, rather than the landing legs or robotic arms employed by SpaceX. Source: CNN, elconfidencial, lavanguardia

The recovery method

The first stage separated about six minutes after liftoff and returned vertically to a ship named "Linghangzhe" (Navigator). The ship, 144 meters long and 50 meters wide, uses dynamic positioning to stay stable. Four hooks on the rocket caught a tensioned cable net, suspending the booster without touching a rigid deck. Source: elconfidencial, lavanguardia Chinese engineers say this system saves weight by eliminating landing legs, potentially increasing payload capacity. Source: lavanguardia

Differences with SpaceX

Unlike SpaceX's Falcon 9, which lands on legs, or Starship, caught by robotic arms, China's net system is unique. It shifts the landing gear from the rocket to the platform, reducing onboard mass. Source: elconfidencial, clarin The Long March 10B can carry up to 16 metric tons to low Earth orbit, comparable to the Falcon 9. Source: excelsiormx, infobae

Implications

China's state-owned CASC said this is the "world's first net recovery of a launch vehicle." Source: infobae The country plans to reuse this booster before year's end. This step is crucial for reducing launch costs and competing with SpaceX's reusable rockets. China aims for a crewed lunar mission by 2030.