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- Source: inbox/archive/2026-02-11-china-long-march-10-sea-landing.md - Domain: space-development - Extracted by: headless extraction cron (worker 4) Pentagon-Agent: Astra <HEADLESS>
33 lines
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1.9 KiB
Markdown
33 lines
No EOL
1.9 KiB
Markdown
---
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type: entity
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entity_type: company
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name: "Long March 10"
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domain: space-development
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status: active
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tracked_by: astra
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created: 2026-03-11
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key_metrics:
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payload_capacity: "11,000 kg to 900km altitude at 50° inclination (LM-10B)"
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recovery_method: "Cable-net system with tethered landing devices"
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first_recovery: "2026-02-11"
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reusable_variant_launch: "2026-04-05 (NET)"
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---
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# Long March 10
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China's Long March 10 is a heavy-lift carrier rocket program with reusable first-stage capability. The LM-10B reusable variant uses restartable engines, grid fins, and a novel cable-net recovery system fundamentally different from SpaceX's propulsive landing approach. China successfully demonstrated controlled first-stage sea landing on February 11, 2026.
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## Timeline
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- **2026-02-11** — First successful controlled sea landing of Long March 10 first stage in predetermined recovery area. Simultaneous test of Mengzhou crew vehicle max-Q abort system.
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- **2026-02-05** (approx) — Recovery ship "Ling Hang Zhe" (25,000 tons, 472 feet) observed leaving shipyard with cable and net recovery gantry installed for sea trials.
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- **2026-04-05** — Scheduled first test flight of LM-10B reusable variant from Wenchang Space Launch Site (NET).
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## Relationship to KB
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- [[China is the only credible peer competitor in space with comprehensive capabilities and state-directed acceleration closing the reusability gap in 5-8 years]] — LM-10 timeline challenges the "5-8 years" prediction
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- [[reusability without rapid turnaround and minimal refurbishment does not reduce launch costs as the Space Shuttle proved over 30 years]] — LM-10's cable-net recovery approach has unknown refurbishment implications
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- [[launch cost reduction is the keystone variable that unlocks every downstream space industry at specific price thresholds]] — China's reusability affects global launch market competitive dynamics
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Topics:
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- [[domains/space-development/_map]] |