China becomes second country to recover orbital rocket booster using net capture

China has successfully recovered the first stage of an orbital-class rocket for the first time, making it only the second nation to achieve the feat after the United States. The Long March 10B rocket lifted off from Hainan Island on July 10, 2026, and about six minutes after stage separation, its booster descended vertically onto an offshore platform where it was caught by a net-based retrieval system. Source: CNN

A unique recovery method

Unlike SpaceX's Falcon 9, which uses landing legs, or Blue Origin's New Glenn, which lands on a platform, the Long March 10B employed a first-of-its-kind net-and-cable system. The booster uses hooks to catch a net suspended above the ship, a design that reduces weight and increases payload capacity. Source: SCMP Chen Muye, a technical expert at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), said the net system is "more adaptable to the landing requirements of rockets." Source: CNA

Significance and next steps

The successful recovery is a major step toward reusable rockets, which dramatically lower launch costs. China plans to reuse the booster by the end of 2026. Source: Engadget The Long March 10B can carry about 16 tonnes to low Earth orbit, compared to Falcon 9's 25 tonnes. Source: The Next Web While China lags behind SpaceX in launch cadence and satellite deployment (Starlink has over 10,000 satellites vs. SpaceSail's ~200), the achievement signals narrowing gap. Source: Gizmodo Some experts note that geopolitical restrictions segment the launch market, but reusable capability boosts China's commercial space ambitions. Source: TechCrunch