China successfully completed its first recovery of an orbital-class reusable rocket booster using a sea-based net system after the inaugural launch of the Long March-10B. The mission represents the country’s first controlled booster recovery and introduces a new offshore recovery method. Officials plan to evaluate the recovered stage for reuse, supporting China’s broader efforts to lower launch costs and expand its reusable space transportation capabilities.
China successfully completed its first controlled recovery of an orbital-class reusable rocket booster at sea during the maiden flight of the Long March-10B from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site. After stage separation, the booster returned vertically and was captured by a floating recovery platform equipped with a net system, while the payload was successfully placed into its planned orbit.
The mission marks China’s first successful recovery of an orbital launch vehicle booster and the world’s first sea-based net capture of an orbital-class rocket stage. Unlike SpaceX’s landing-leg approach, the Chinese system uses an offshore vessel and a suspended net to recover the booster for future reuse. Authorities said the recovered stage is expected to undergo inspection before potential reuse later this year.
The achievement is viewed as an important step in China’s reusable launch vehicle program, which aims to reduce launch costs and support more frequent satellite deployments. The Long March-10B is also expected to contribute to future lunar missions and the expansion of China’s commercial space capabilities over the coming years.