---
type: entity
entity_type: company
name: "Long March 10"
domain: space-development
status: active
tracked_by: astra
created: 2026-03-11
key_metrics:
  payload_capacity: "11,000 kg to 900km altitude at 50° inclination (LM-10B)"
  first_stage_recovery: "Controlled sea landing demonstrated 2026-02-11"
  reusable_variant_launch: "NET 2026-04-05 (Long March 10B)"
  recovery_method: "Tethered landing devices (hooks caught by tensioned wire system)"
---

# Long March 10

China's new-generation heavy-lift rocket with reusable first stage capability. The Long March 10 program demonstrated controlled first-stage sea landing in February 2026 and is launching the reusable Long March 10B variant in April 2026, compressing the reusability development timeline from projected 5-8 years to approximately 2 years.

The recovery system uses a novel "tethered landing device" approach where hooks deployed by the descending stage are caught by tensioned wires, fundamentally different from SpaceX's propulsive landing or Blue Origin's ship landing approaches. China is building a dedicated 25,000-ton recovery ship "Ling Hang Zhe" with cable and net recovery gantry systems.

## Timeline

- **2026-02-11** — First stage completed controlled sea landing in predetermined recovery area during low-altitude demonstration flight
- **2026-02-11** — Simultaneously tested maximum dynamic pressure abort flight of Mengzhou crewed spaceship
- **2026-04-05** — Long March 10B reusable variant scheduled for first test flight from Wenchang Space Launch Site (NET)
- **2026-02-early** — Recovery ship "Ling Hang Zhe" (25,000 tons, 472 feet) completed sea trials with cable/net recovery system installed

## Relationship to KB

- Challenges [[China is the only credible peer competitor in space with comprehensive capabilities and state-directed acceleration closing the reusability gap in 5-8 years]] — timeline was 2 years, not 5-8
- Demonstrates [[state-directed-space-programs-compress-technology-timelines-through-strategic-competition-motivation-faster-than-market-driven-development]] <!-- claim pending -->
- Exemplifies [[china-cable-net-recovery-represents-independent-innovation-trajectory-not-technology-copying]] <!-- claim pending -->
- Related to [[reusability without rapid turnaround and minimal refurbishment does not reduce launch costs as the Space Shuttle proved over 30 years]] — recovery demonstrated but reuse economics not yet proven