China Successfully Lands Long March-10B First Stage, Pioneering Reusable Rocket Technology and Drastically Cutting Launch Costs

July 12, 2026

Business Insider China

Overview

China has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in reusable rocket technology by successfully recovering the first stage of its new Long March-10B rocket. This success is a critical step for China’s ambition to catch up with global leaders like SpaceX and potentially reduce future launch costs by up to 90%. This reusable configuration can launch up to 16,000kg payloads to Low Earth Orbit, bringing new competitiveness to China’s space program.

In Depth

Key Findings

China has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in reusable rocket technology by successfully recovering the first stage of its new Long March-10B rocket. This accomplishment marks a pivotal step for China’s ambitious goal of solidifying its position as a major space power, aiming to catch up with and potentially surpass international leaders like SpaceX. This technology holds the potential to drastically reduce launch costs for future space missions.

Technical Details

The Long March-10B rocket is a new generation launch vehicle propelled by liquid natural gas (LNG) and liquid oxygen (LOX), capable of launching payloads up to 16,000 kg into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in its reusable configuration. The recent test successfully demonstrated Vertical Take-off, Vertical Landing (VTVL) technology, where the first-stage booster returned to Earth after reaching orbit and performed a precise vertical landing at a designated site. This achievement necessitates highly sophisticated Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) systems, precise thrust vector control, and optimized thermal-resistant materials and structural design. The primary advantage of reusable rockets over expendable ones lies in their potential to significantly reduce launch costs. China aims for up to a 90% reduction in launch costs through first-stage reusability, a development that could fundamentally alter the economics of the entire space industry.

Background & Industry Context

Reusable rocket technology has emerged as one of the most significant innovations in space transportation over the past decade. Since SpaceX’s commercial success with its Falcon 9 rocket, space agencies and private companies worldwide have been striving to emulate this achievement. China is pursuing ambitious space programs, including the construction of its space station, lunar and Mars exploration missions, and the deployment of its own satellite constellations. Affordable and reliable space transportation is indispensable for achieving these goals. The success of the Long March-10B is part of China’s national ‘Space Dream’ strategy to achieve technological self-reliance and enhance competitiveness in the space sector, representing a crucial move in the space race with the United States.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

The successful recovery of the Long March-10B’s first stage will have an immeasurable impact on China’s space program. By further maturing this technology, China can build a stronger foundation for future crewed missions to the Moon and Mars, the maintenance of large-scale space stations, and the expansion of its share in the commercial satellite launch market. The significant reduction in launch costs will make space activities more accessible, fostering new scientific exploration and commercial opportunities. Moving forward, China is expected to conduct further tests and development to establish full reusability and operational reliability for the Long March-10B, solidifying its position as a major player in the global space industry.

Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/watch-china-land-reusable-rocket-long-march-spacex-2026-7

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