China will be an indispensable player in future space exploration

On July 10, 2026, China successfully achieved a seaborne net-capture recovery of its Long March-10B rocket’s first stage on the Linghangzhe platform. This milestone ends the SpaceX reusable rocket monopoly and shifts global rocketry toward multi-actor competition. Developed by CASC, the innovative net-based cable system reduces rocket weight and increases payload capacity by keeping heavy infrastructure on the ocean platform. This success ensures China’s supply chain independence, slashes low-Earth orbit launch costs, and cements its role as an indispensable player in future global space exploration.

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https://www.chinadailyhk.com/hk/article/636685#China-will-be-an-indispensable-player-in-future-space-exploration-2026-07-20