China Tests Sea-Based Recovery System for Reusable Rocket Booster

China successfully recovered a rocket booster at sea on Friday using a net attached to an offshore platform, state media reported. The Long March 10B rocket lifted off from the Hainan commercial space launch site at 12:15 p.m. local time. About six minutes after the booster separated from the upper stage, it returned vertically and landed on the platform.

State broadcaster CCTV reported the sequence and confirmed the booster was retrieved intact. The test marks the first time China has recovered an orbital-class rocket booster. The effort aims to develop reusable launch systems and reduce costs compared with expendable rockets.

The test occurred as China seeks to narrow the gap with established reusable rocket programs elsewhere. Officials described the recovery as a milestone toward operational reusability. Further tests are expected to refine the sea-based retrieval method and assess performance under varying sea conditions.