China’ Long March 10B Rocket Closes Gap with US on Space Launch Capabilities

• China has successfully launched and recovered the first stage booster of its Long March 10B rocket system marking only the second country to do so following US-based SpaceX and Blue Origin;

• The success will likely be followed by additional tests proving reusability before production and launch cadence is expanded closing the gap with the US which currently launches more payloads to orbit than China and Russia combined;

• The ability to reuse rockets allows for vastly greater numbers of launches, the rapid deployment of large satellite constellations, as well as advantages in anti-satellite operations – both in deploying systems to use against enemy satellites and replacing satellites the enemy has neutralized;

References: SciNews – Long March-10B first launch and landing (Jul. 10, 2026):
 • Long March-10B first launch and landing  

NEO – A New Space Race Above Earth May Determine Who Prevails Upon It (Dec. 2025):

China’ Long March 10B Rocket Closes Gap on Space Launch Capabilities

BBC – China lands reusable rocket for first time, state media says (Jul. 10, 2026): https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2…