This is not copying it is adapting the idea into something lighter and potentially more efficient for their specific needs. The real story is that reusability is no longer one company’s secret it is becoming standard and different nations are solving it their own way. Watch the payload numbers and turnaround times next.
BREAKING: For 10 years the world believed there was one way to reuse a rocket: land it upright on its engines, the way SpaceX does. Today China refused to copy it, and pulled off something SpaceX never managed on a first flight. It caught the rocket instead.
The Long March 10B… pic.twitter.com/XszDEV2S4N
— Shanaka Anslem Perera ⚡ (@shanaka86) July 10, 2026
Chinese state media and international outlets confirm the net catch success on the maiden flight. Analysts note it positions China as only the second nation with controlled orbital booster recovery. The Long March 10 family is tied to crewed lunar ambitions with reflights expected soon.
Global Times on the recovery breakthrough https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202607/1365624.shtml
Space.com coverage of the historic catch https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/making-history-china-lands-rocket-during-an-orbital-launch-for-1st-time-ever