---
type: source
title: "China to debut reusable Long March 10-derived rocket in first half of 2026"
author: "SpaceNews"
url: https://spacenews.com/china-to-debut-reusable-long-march-10-derived-rocket-in-first-half-of-2026/
date: 2026-01-00
domain: space-development
secondary_domains: []
format: report
status: null-result
last_attempted: 2026-03-11
priority: high
tags: [china, long-march-10b, reusability, state-directed, competition, timeline]
processed_by: astra
processed_date: 2026-03-11
enrichments_applied: ["China is the only credible peer competitor in space with comprehensive capabilities and state-directed acceleration closing the reusability gap in 5-8 years.md"]
extraction_model: "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.5"
extraction_notes: "Primary extraction updates the China reusability timeline claim with concrete April 2026 debut date, challenging the '5-8 year' projection. Secondary claim captures the state+commercial parallel development structure as evidence of ecosystem depth. Combined with the February 11 sea landing source (referenced in curator notes), this provides comprehensive update on China's reusable rocket progress. No cost-per-kg data available, so economic competitiveness claims remain unsubstantiated."
---

## Content
A reusable variant of China's Long March 10 rocket, referred to as Long March 10B, is expected to conduct its first test flight no earlier than April 5, 2026, from Wenchang Space Launch Site on Hainan Island.

Key specifications:
- Payload: 11,000 kg to 900 km altitude at 50° inclination
- First stage: restartable engines, grid fins for controlled descent
- Recovery: sea-based using cable/net catching system on dedicated ship
- Derived from the Long March 10 crew-rated vehicle designed for lunar missions

This follows the successful controlled sea splashdown of a Long March 10 first stage on February 11, 2026.

Long March 9 (super-heavy lift): first flight planned for 2033, designed for increased lunar mission cadence in the 2030s.

The broader Chinese reusable rocket ecosystem includes:
- Commercial companies (iSpace, Landspace, Galactic Energy) also developing reusable vehicles
- Long March 12: another new vehicle in development
- State + commercial parallel development tracks

## Agent Notes
**Why this matters:** Confirms the timeline compression. From concept to first reusable flight in much less time than predicted. The April 2026 date means China could have an operational reusable rocket within months of Blue Origin demonstrating booster reuse — converging from completely different development approaches.
**What surprised me:** The parallel commercial ecosystem in China (iSpace, Landspace, Galactic Energy). The KB only tracks state programs, but Chinese commercial launch is also advancing.
**What I expected but didn't find:** Cost-per-kg targets for LM-10B. Comparison to Falcon 9 economics.
**KB connections:** [[China is the only credible peer competitor in space with comprehensive capabilities and state-directed acceleration closing the reusability gap in 5-8 years]]
**Extraction hints:** Combine with the sea landing source for a comprehensive China reusability update. The commercial parallel track (iSpace etc.) as additional evidence of ecosystem breadth beyond state programs.
**Context:** SpaceNews is the most authoritative trade publication for space industry developments.

## Curator Notes (structured handoff for extractor)
PRIMARY CONNECTION: [[China is the only credible peer competitor in space with comprehensive capabilities and state-directed acceleration closing the reusability gap in 5-8 years]]
WHY ARCHIVED: Complements the sea landing source — provides the operational vehicle timeline and specs for China's reusable rocket program
EXTRACTION HINT: Use together with the Feb 11 sea landing source to build the case for revising the "5-8 year" timeline claim


## Key Facts
- Long March 10B first flight scheduled no earlier than April 5, 2026
- Long March 10 first stage successful controlled sea splashdown February 11, 2026
- LM-10B payload capacity: 11,000 kg to 900 km altitude at 50° inclination
- Recovery method: sea-based cable/net catching system on dedicated ship
- Long March 9 super-heavy lift first flight planned for 2033
- Chinese commercial reusable rocket companies: iSpace, Landspace, Galactic Energy
