Reusable Long March-10B Demonstrates Commercial Launch Capability

Beijing, July 10 – In a milestone for China’s commercial space sector, the Long March-10B carrier rocket not only placed a satellite into its target orbit but also achieved a successful, controlled landing of its first stage. The event highlights the reusability potential of the vehicle.

Measuring 63 metres in height and 5 metres across, the Long March-10B can be turned around for subsequent flights, offering a low‑Earth‑orbit payload capacity of 16 tonnes when refurbished. This capability is expected to drive down the price per kilogram for heavy‑weight commercial missions.

The launch underlines the rocket’s ability to serve diverse missions, from building satellite constellations to delivering large payloads for commercial customers. The controlled recovery marks a turning point for cost‑efficient access to space.