China successfully recovered a rocket's first stage during an orbital launch for the first time, achieving the feat with the Long March 10B on July 10. The first stage landed vertically into a net-based recovery system aboard a ship at sea -- a method China says is the first of its kind globally. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation called it a historic breakthrough in reusable rocket technology and a step toward lowering launch costs and improving space access.
The Long March 10B stands 207 feet tall and can carry about 16 tons to low Earth orbit in reusable mode. The rocket's debut flight included a satellite payload that reached its intended orbit. China plans to refly the recovered first stage by year's end. Until now, vertical landings of orbital-class rockets had been performed only by SpaceX, which has landed orbital rockets over 600 times. Other Chinese companies are developing reusable vehicles, and industry observers expect Chinese rockets could soon match SpaceX's launch frequency.