China successfully tested a reusable rocket for the first time

China successfully tested a reusable rocket for the first time, recovering the first stage of the Long March-10B launch vehicle after its flight.

Consensus

China successfully conducted its first controlled return of a rocket's first stage to a floating platform in the ocean.
The Long March-10B rocket was launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Site on Hainan Island on July 10.
Approximately six minutes after launch, the first stage separated and performed a controlled vertical landing on a maritime platform equipped with a net system.
This event marked China's first successful recovery of a rocket’s first stage following an orbital flight.
The mission demonstrated progress in high-precision navigation, thermal and mechanical adaptation, and capture systems for sea-based platforms.
The Long March-10B is a two-stage liquid-fueled rocket with a diameter of 5 meters, length of about 63 meters, and launch mass of around 760 tons.
The first stage uses liquid oxygen and kerosene as fuel; the second stage uses liquid oxygen and methane.
This technology aims to reduce launch costs and improve efficiency for future space missions.

The first successful landing of a rocket's first stage after an orbital flight was achieved by SpaceX in 2015 with the Falcon 9, followed by Blue Origin in 2025 with New Glenn. — tg_astrapress
China claims to be the only country that has practically implemented the net-based capture system technology for sea landings. — fontanka
The Long March-10B is a liquid-fueled two-stage rocket developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. — vesti
The launch occurred at 12:15 Beijing time (7:15 Moscow time). — interfax