China successfully tests sea-based rocket booster recovery system, says state media

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China on ​Friday (July 10, 2026) successfully tested an ‌experimental rocket retrieval ​system ⁠using a net attached to a sea platform, ‌state media reported, in ‌the hopes of ‌breaking ⁠U.S. dominance ⁠in reusable rockets.

The Long March 10B ​rocket lifted ‌off from the Hainan commercial space launch site in ‌southern China ​and, about six minutes after separation ⁠of its booster and upper ‌stage, the booster returned vertically and was recovered on an offshore platform, state ‌broadcaster CCTV reported.

It ​marked China’s first successful controlled ⁠recovery of a carrier ⁠rocket’s booster, CCTV said.

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Published - July 10, 2026 11:34 am IST