Key facts
- China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation successfully landed a reusable rocket for the first time.
- The Long March 10B rocket launched from Hainan and its booster returned vertically to a floating platform.
- This achievement marks a significant advancement in China's space technology capabilities.
- The reusable rocket technology aims to lower the cost of space missions and compete with US companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin.
- China Spacesat and China Satellite Communications shares rose by their daily limit of 10% following the announcement.
China has successfully landed a reusable rocket for the first time, a significant advancement for its space program according to state media. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation announced that its Long March 10B rocket launched from Hainan at 12:15 local time on Friday. Approximately six minutes after its upper stage separated, the rocket's booster returned vertically to Earth and was recovered on a floating platform.
This development positions China to potentially compete with the United States' established dominance in reusable rocket technology, pioneered by companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin. Traditionally, rockets are expendable, making space launches costly. Reusing boosters, the most valuable component, can substantially reduce the expense of satellite launches and space exploration.
SpaceX achieved the first orbital reusable rocket landing with its Falcon 9 in December 2015, followed by Blue Origin's New Glenn in November 2025. The Falcon 9 now operates around 150 times annually, with boosters capable of multiple reuses. China's previous attempt at reusable rocket recovery occurred in February with a Long March 10A, which completed a controlled descent and splashdown near a recovery platform.
The Long March 10B has a payload capacity of at least 16 metric tons to low-Earth orbit, drawing comparisons to SpaceX's Falcon 9. However, unlike the Falcon 9's autonomous ground or drone ship landings, the Long March 10B utilizes 'landing hooks' to catch a net on a floating platform.
Following the news, shares in Chinese space firms saw a notable increase, with China Spacesat and China Satellite Communications each rising by their daily limit of 10%.