China recovered its first reusable rocket and showed a new way to do it
China successfully recovered a reusable orbital-class booster from the Long March 10B rocket using a unique sea-based net recovery system. This milestone marks a significant advancement in China's space program and its efforts to replicate SpaceX's reusable rocket technology.
Why it matters
Reusable rocket technology significantly lowers the cost of space access, and this development signals China's growing capability to compete with private Western space firms.
First of many China recovered its first reusable rocket and showed a new way to do it “Clearly, they admire the work that’s being done by SpaceX and are trying to replicate it.”
3 China's Long March 10B booster, 16 feet (5 meters) in diameter, descends toward its recovery vessel in the South China Sea. Credit: Chinese Foreign Ministry via X China's Long March 10B booster, 16 feet (5 meters) in diameter, descends toward its recovery vessel in the South China Sea. Credit: Chinese Foreign Ministry via X Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav China’s sprawling state-owned rocket developer, maker of the country’s Long March rocket family, announced it recovered a reusable orbital-class booster for the first time Friday in the South China Sea.
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