TheTechno Optimist.

Long March 10CASC (China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.)—Mengzhou spacecraft successfully aborts at maximum dynamic pressure on Long March 10 prototype boosterLong March 10CASC (China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.)—Long March 10B achieves world first: orbital booster recovery via net system

CASC (China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.)

Long March rockets, Chinese space program, Mengzhou crew spacecraft

CNprivateest. 1999english.spacechina.com (opens english.spacechina.com)Checked 10 Oct

The brief

Analyst view
  • Long March 10B achieved China's first orbital booster recovery July 2026 via net catch system at orbital speeds.
  • Long March 10 is central to crewed lunar landing before 2030. Mengzhou crew module aborted successfully at max Q in Feb 2026.
  • Also operates Tiangong space station, Beidou navigation, and provides commercial launch services worldwide.

Technical approach

As reported
Modular designs

Long March core stages and boosters

Common core stages paired with different upper stages and booster configurations for LEO to trans-lunar payloads.

Recovery capability

Net-catch booster recovery system

Long March 10B demonstrated world's first net-based orbital booster recovery at sea, a first for any orbital-class rocket.

Crew vehicle

Mengzhou reusable spacecraft

Multi-module orbiter and lunar lander for crewed missions with redundant safety and in-flight abort tested to max Q.

Primer