China Achieves First Successful Reusable Rocket Landing, Mirroring SpaceX

Sun Sep 06 2026 02:58:50 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

China's first successful landing of a reusable Long March 10B booster marks a milestone in spaceflight cost reduction, as reported by state media.

China successfully landed a reusable Long March 10B rocket booster on a floating platform on 10 July 2026, according to the China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation. The landing follows earlier tests and aligns China with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 in reusable rocket technology. By using “landing hooks” that snag a net on a moving platform, China’s method differs from SpaceX’s autonomous pad landings. The achievement is expected to lower satellite launch costs and has spurred a surge in Chinese space company stocks.

China Aerospace Science & Technology Corp announced on Friday that its Long March 10B rocket conducted a successful reusable launch, lifting off from Hainan at 12:15 local time (04:15 GMT) on 10 July 2026. The booster separated from the upper stage after only six minutes, then returned to Earth and landed vertically on a floating recovery platform.

This is the first time China has retrieved a reusable booster after flight. Previously a Long March 10A test achieved a controlled descent but was carried down to sea. Unlike SpaceX’s Falcon 9, which lands autonomously on a ground pad or drone ship, China’s booster uses “landing hooks” that catch a net attached to a floating platform.

Reusable boosters are a key factor in cutting launch costs. While SpaceX’s Falcon 9 can fly more than 150 missions a year with boosters that are reused dozens of times, China’s Long March 10B can deliver up to 16 tonnes to low‑Earth orbit and its new recovery method promises similar economic advantages.

The satellite launch market reacted positively. Shares of China Spacesat and China Satellite Communications rose to their daily trading limits, signalling investor confidence in a rapidly maturing domestic space industry.

"With this successful landing we show that China can compete with the best in reusable launch technology," the company said. Analysts suggest the move could soon push the United States to develop alternative reusable systems if they wish to remain competitive in the global market.