China recovered the first stage of its Long March 10B rocket at sea after the vehicle's maiden launch, marking the country's first controlled recovery of an orbital-class booster and making China the second nation to achieve that feat. The 70-metre, 5-metre wide two-stage Long March 10B lifted off from Wenchang at 12.15pm; about six minutes after stage separation the first stage returned vertically and was captured by a sea platform using a net-and-cable system, state broadcaster CCTV reported. The Long March 10B first stage is powered by seven YF-100K kerosene/LOX engines; the vehicle can deliver up to 16 tonnes to low Earth orbit and is intended mainly for cargo missions. China’s approach contrasts with SpaceX’s legged landings: the 10B slows with engines and aerodynamic control surfaces before the recovery net absorbs remaining energy for a soft landing. The flight was the first orbital test of the Long March 10 family and aimed to validate reusability technologies for a crewed lunar variant, Long March 10, which would use 21 YF-100K engines at liftoff and is targeted for missions before 2030. China expects further flights later this year, including another Long March 10B recovery attempt and a full Long March 10A flight, and state media said the maiden recovery should help cut launch costs and boost the country’s space-sector competitiveness.
