96ec19e9f0
- Source: inbox/archive/2026-02-11-china-long-march-10-sea-landing.md - Domain: space-development - Extracted by: headless extraction cron (worker 2) Pentagon-Agent: Astra <HEADLESS>
32 lines
No EOL
2 KiB
Markdown
32 lines
No EOL
2 KiB
Markdown
---
|
|
type: entity
|
|
entity_type: company
|
|
name: "Long March 10"
|
|
domain: space-development
|
|
status: active
|
|
tracked_by: astra
|
|
created: 2026-03-11
|
|
key_metrics:
|
|
first_stage_recovery: "2026-02-11"
|
|
reusable_variant_launch: "2026-04-05 (scheduled)"
|
|
payload_capacity: "11,000 kg to 900km at 50° inclination"
|
|
recovery_method: "tethered wire catch + cable-net ship recovery"
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
# Long March 10
|
|
|
|
China's Long March 10 is a new-generation carrier rocket program developing reusable first-stage capability. The program achieved controlled first-stage sea landing on February 11, 2026, with the reusable variant (Long March 10B) scheduled for first test flight April 5, 2026. The recovery system uses a novel tethered wire approach where hooks catch tensioned cables, supported by the dedicated 25,000-ton recovery ship "Ling Hang Zhe."
|
|
|
|
## Timeline
|
|
|
|
- **2026-02-11** — First stage completed controlled sea landing in predetermined area during low-altitude demonstration flight
|
|
- **2026-02-11** — Simultaneous test of Mengzhou crewed spaceship maximum dynamic pressure abort
|
|
- **2026-02-05** — Recovery ship "Ling Hang Zhe" observed leaving shipyard for sea trials with recovery gantry and cable system installed
|
|
- **2026-04-05** — Long March 10B reusable variant first test flight scheduled from Wenchang Space Launch Site
|
|
|
|
## 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 compressed to ~2 years
|
|
- Demonstrates [[state-directed-space-programs-can-compress-technology-development-timelines-through-coordinated-industrial-policy]] <!-- claim pending -->
|
|
- Represents [[china-cable-net-recovery-represents-independent-innovation-trajectory-not-technology-copying]] <!-- claim pending -->
|
|
- Must prove [[reusability without rapid turnaround and minimal refurbishment does not reduce launch costs as the Space Shuttle proved over 30 years]] through operational performance |