Successful Capture of the Long March 10B Rocket
For the first time, a nation other than the United States has pulled off a mid-air rocket recovery: China snared its Long March 10B booster in a net after it came back down. Built by the state-run China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), the rocket descended under its own thrust, then shut off its engines and got caught in the mesh. The capture method involved the Long March 10 hooking onto the net with special grabs, which allowed the vehicle to survive intact.
China's Space Ambitions and Roadmap
CALT aims to re-fly this rocket before the end of 2026. Notably, in February 2026, the agency's first try at recovering a reusable booster ended with the stage splashing down about 200 meters from its landing platform. Meanwhile, Beijing-based company LandSpace uses a system of mechanical landing legs for its ZhuQue-3 rocket, but that attempt resulted in an explosion.
This mission marks a historic breakthrough for China in reusable rocket technology and will build a solid foundation for rapidly expanding the country's access to space, according to CALT. For context, in 2025 the United States conducted 193 orbital launches—165 of them by SpaceX—while China carried out 92 orbital launch attempts. Beijing has set the ambitious goal of transforming the nation into a major space power by 2030.
The successful net capture of the Long March 10B signals China's major progress in developing reusable rocket technology, which could fundamentally reshape the space industry. It not only highlights China's growing competitiveness on the global stage but also opens up new possibilities for commercial launches and scientific research. China's bold space ambitions reflect its drive to become one of the world's leading spacefaring nations, with far-reaching implications for the entire global space sector.
As China advances its space capabilities, the successful recovery of the Long March 10B rocket comes at a pivotal moment in its quest for dominance in space exploration. This achievement aligns with other significant milestones, such as China's Tianwen-2 probe nearing its asteroid target, showcasing the country's commitment to expanding its reach beyond Earth and enhancing its scientific endeavors.