China Makes Space History: Successfully Lands and Recovers Orbital Booster at Sea for First Time

In a significant technological achievement, China has landed and recovered a reusable orbital-class booster at sea for the first time. The milestone came during the maiden flight of the Long March 10B rocket, launched from Hainan on July 10, 2026, which successfully deployed its payload into orbit. The booster executed a powered vertical descent and was captured mid-air by a net and wire system aboard the recovery ship Linghangzhe.

This marks China as only the second country after the United States to achieve orbital booster reusability. The innovative cable-based sea capture method represents a world first in this specific recovery technique. Video footage shows the controlled landing with visible engine plumes as the booster touched down onto the sea platform, highlighting the precision involved in the complex operation.

The success boosts China’s ambitions in space exploration and reusable rocket technology, with plans to refly the booster by the end of the year. While some observers question aspects of the event, major outlets including Reuters and SpaceNews, along with China’s CASC, have confirmed the details. This development adds new momentum to the global space race and underscores rapid advancements in launch vehicle recovery systems.