China Achieves First Reusable Rocket Landing

Sun Sep 06 2026 04:22:54 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

China has successfully landed a reusable Long March 10B booster, achieving a key milestone in its space programme.

On a Friday morning, the Long March 10B rocket launched from Hainan and returned to Earth with its booster vertical and on a floating platform. The state‑controlled Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation claims the recovery marks the first reusable rocket landing for China. This development could position China to compete with SpaceX and Blue Origin in reducing launch costs. Shares in Chinese space firms rose after the announcement, signalling investor enthusiasm for the country’s ambitions.

China Achieves First Reusable Rocket Landing

Long March 10B booster landing — Long March 10B booster lands successfully on floating platform in Hainan, July 10 2026

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation announced that the Long March 10B rocket lifted off from Hainan at 12:15 local time (04:15 GMT) on Friday and that its booster returned to Earth approximately six minutes after separating from the upper stage. The booster was captured by landing hooks that brought it onto a floating recovery platform. This marks China’s first time achieving a reusable rocket landing, a milestone that has the potential to shift global dynamics in low‑Earth‑orbit deployment. Both SpaceX and Blue Origin have demonstrated similar capabilities, and the new achievement may calm concerns over American dominance in spaceflight technology.

Reusable boosters are regarded as the most expensive component of a launch vehicle, and their reuse can dramatically reduce the cost of satellite launch and exploration missions. China’s Long March 10B, capable of delivering at least 16 metric tons to orbit, is now compared to SpaceX’s Falcon 9. Unlike the Falcon 9, the Long March 10B does not autonomously land; instead, landing hooks secure a net attached to a platform at sea. This approach, while different, still achieves the same aim of safe recovery.

Following the announcement, shares in Chinese space firms jumped. China Spacesat and China Satellite Communications both rose by 10%, hitting the daily limit allowed by the country’s financial regulations. The market reaction underscores growing confidence in China’s expanding space capabilities and the potential for cost‑effective launch services. The successful landing is a significant achievement that will likely influence future strategic decisions in the global space sector.