China is preparing to fly a reusable, Long March 10–derived rocket in the first half of 2026, a milestone that would pull its state space program deeper into the global race to cut launch costs and increase cadence. The planned debut is emerging alongside a wave of commercial Chinese launch startups, new capital rules, and a clear strategic push to match and eventually rival the reusable systems pioneered by SpaceX.
The coming flight is not an isolated experiment but part of a coordinated effort to give China a domestic ecosystem of reusable rockets, from heavy government vehicles to privately built medium lifters. That convergence of technology, regulation, and capital is reshaping expectations for how quickly the country can expand its presence in orbit and beyond.
From expendable workhorses to a reusable Long March 10
For decades, China relied on expendable Long March rockets to build its space station, send probes to the Moon, and loft a growing fleet of satellites. The decision to base a new reusable launcher on the Long March 10 architecture signals that Beijing wants reusability integrated into the same family that underpins its crewed and deep space ambitions, rather than treated as a side project. Reporting indicates that a reusable Long March 10–derived vehicle is being readied for a first flight in the first half of 2026, positioning it as a flagship for the next phase of the country’s launch strategy.
The new rocket is expected to draw on experience from heavy lifters such as the Long March 5, which has already flown major missions from the coastal Wenchang spaceport, including a launch that carried the TJS-20 satellite into orbit. By adapting that heritage into a reusable configuration, program managers are attempting to compress development timelines while still fielding a booster that can land and fly again. Analysts note that the plan to debut a reusable Long March 10–derived rocket in the first half of 2026 reflects confidence that the underlying propulsion and guidance systems are mature enough to support recovery operations.
How the 2026 debut fits into China’s wider space ambitions
The timing of the reusable Long March 10–derived launch is closely tied to China’s broader roadmap for human spaceflight and lunar exploration. The Long March 10 family has been identified as a key element in future crewed missions, including potential flights to the Moon, so proving that a derivative can be recovered and reused would feed directly into plans for more frequent and affordable sorties. A successful demonstration in early 2026 would therefore be more than a technical stunt, it would be a proof point that the country can sustain high-tempo operations without a proportional rise in manufacturing costs.
China has already shown that it can field large, complex rockets on a regular basis, as seen when a Long March 5 lifted off from Wenchang carrying the TJS-20 payload. The new reusable variant is expected to build on that operational record while adding the ability to return its booster stage for controlled landing and refurbishment. Coverage of the Long March 10 program notes that the reusable derivative is being positioned as part of a long term effort to support crewed lunar missions and other deep space projects, with Andrew Jones December detailing how the Long March series has evolved from early flights to today’s heavy lifters.
Commercial players: LandSpace, Zhuque-3 and a crowded launch field
While the state program pushes a reusable Long March 10–derived rocket toward the pad, commercial firms are racing to prove their own hardware. LandSpace has emerged as one of the most prominent of these companies, with its methane-fueled Zhuque-3 designed from the outset for recovery and reuse. The first Zhuque-3 has already been seen on the pad at Jiuquan ahead of a debut launch attempt, underscoring how quickly private actors are moving to complement government systems with their own reusable fleets.
LandSpace’s ambitions are not limited to a single test flight. The company has publicly targeted a fundraise of around 1 billion dollars through an initial public offering, a move that would give it the capital to scale production and operations if regulators approve. Reporting on the firm’s plans notes that the first Zhuque-3 at Jiuquan is part of a broader push to build a family of reusable rockets, with Zhuque-3 at Jiuquan framed as a pathfinder for future commercial missions.
Recovery milestones and the race to stick the landing
Demonstrating a reusable rocket on paper is one thing, bringing the booster back intact is another. China has already attempted multiple recoverable launches in quick succession, including a second reusable launch attempt within three weeks that highlighted both the pace of testing and the remaining technical hurdles. That flight did not complete all of its recovery objectives, but it showed that Chinese engineers are willing to iterate rapidly in pursuit of a working system.
Several other small to medium class reusable rockets are also in development, adding competitive pressure on both state and private teams to refine their landing and refurbishment techniques. Analysts point out that these efforts are not just about prestige, they are about driving down the cost per kilogram to orbit so that large satellite constellations and deep space missions become economically viable. The report on how China carried out its second reusable launch attempt in three weeks underscores that the country is compressing test cycles in a way that mirrors the rapid cadence seen in other leading launch providers.
Regulatory tailwinds: IPO rule changes and capital flows
Technical progress is being matched by regulatory shifts that make it easier for launch startups to raise money. The Shanghai exchange has eased listing rules for companies developing reusable rockets, a targeted change that signals political support for this specific slice of the aerospace sector. By lowering barriers to initial public offerings, regulators are inviting firms like LandSpace to tap public markets rather than relying solely on private or state-linked funding.
These changes are part of a broader effort by Beijing to upgrade national space capabilities and keep pace with the United States and other major powers. The new rules are explicitly framed around reusable launch technology, reflecting a view that this capability is now central to strategic competition in orbit. One analysis notes that The Shanghai exchange eased IPO rules for Chinesecompanies developing reusable rockets, describing the move as part of Beijing’s effort to strengthen its space capabilities with the United States.
Policy support after early failures: easing the path for reusability
Not every attempt to land a booster has gone according to plan, but regulators have responded to setbacks with more support rather than caution. After a high profile launch failed to complete the crucial step of recovering its booster, Chinese authorities moved to relax initial public offering rules for firms working on reusable rockets. That sequence suggests that policymakers see early failures as a necessary cost of innovation rather than a reason to slow down.
The updated rules are designed to help companies secure the capital needed to refine their designs and attempt additional recoveries. They also send a signal to investors that reusable launch technology is a priority sector with political backing. Coverage of the policy shift notes that While the launch failed to complete booster recovery, a flurry of Chinese state owned and private actors continued to push reusable rockets, with regulators easing IPO rules in the wake of that attempt.
LandSpace’s recovery timeline and mid-2026 target
Among commercial players, LandSpace has been unusually explicit about when it expects to nail a full recovery. The company has stated that it hopes to complete rocket recovery in mid 2026, aligning its own schedule with the state program’s push to fly a reusable Long March 10–derived vehicle in the first half of the year. That target suggests that both government and private teams expect the next 18 months to deliver decisive proof that Chinese boosters can land and fly again.
LandSpace’s roadmap includes multiple attempts, with a second try already planned after an initial partial success. The firm’s willingness to publicize a mid 2026 goal reflects confidence in its Zhuque-3 design and in the regulatory environment that now favors reusable systems. Reporting on the company’s plans notes that China’s LandSpace hopes to complete rocket recovery in mid 2026, with a second attempt planned to refine its landing profile.
Beyond LandSpace: Tianlong-3, Space Pioneer and a new ecosystem
LandSpace is not alone in chasing reusable launch. Beijing based startup Space Pioneer is developing the Tianlong-3 rocket, another vehicle designed to land and fly again. The company has already completed a major ground test of its Tianlong-3 launch vehicle, a step that typically precedes integrated flight tests and recovery attempts. This activity highlights how quickly a broader ecosystem of reusable rocket developers is forming inside China’s commercial space sector.
Space Pioneer’s progress adds to a growing list of private firms that are building hardware to complement state owned Long March vehicles. The emergence of Tianlong-3 alongside Zhuque-3 and other designs suggests that competition will not be limited to a single flagship rocket but will instead play out across multiple classes and configurations. One report notes that China’s push to field reusable rockets took a significant step forward when Beijing based Space Pioneer announced a successful ground test of its Tianlong-3 launch vehicle.
Strategic rivalry with SpaceX and the global launch market
China’s reusable rocket push is unfolding in direct comparison with SpaceX, whose Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy have set the benchmark for booster recovery and rapid reuse. Chinese officials and company executives are explicit that they want a domestic option that can match the low cost, high cadence model that SpaceX has demonstrated. LandSpace in particular has framed its mission as giving China its own low cost launch capability similar to the flight proven reusable rocket Falcon 9, a clear reference point for investors and policymakers.
The strategic stakes extend beyond national pride. Reusable rockets are seen as essential for deploying and maintaining large satellite constellations, including networks of up to 10,000 satellites that are being discussed for broadband and other services. Analysts note that LandSpace’s focus on giving China its own low cost launch option similar to SpaceX’s reusable Falcon 9 is tied directly to plans for 10,000 satellite constellations in the coming decades, underscoring how launch economics and orbital infrastructure are now tightly linked.
Why China is moving so fast on reusability
The speed of China’s progress on reusable rockets has surprised some outside observers, but it reflects a deliberate strategy that combines state direction, commercial competition, and targeted regulation. The country has at least two major reusable rockets in active development, Zhuque-3 and the Long March 10–derived vehicle, with others like Tianlong-3 following close behind. This layered approach allows different teams to experiment with varying propellants, landing methods, and business models while still contributing to a shared national goal.
Commentary from space enthusiasts and analysts has highlighted how this model differs from the more fragmented approach seen elsewhere, where commercial firms often operate with less direct alignment to national space strategies. One discussion of Why China has progressed so fast on reusable rockets points to the combination of Zhuque-3 and Long March projects as evidence that the country is pursuing reusability through both state and private channels at the same time.
Economic stakes and the role of national strategy
Behind the technical milestones and regulatory tweaks lies a larger economic and geopolitical calculation. China sees space launch as a critical enabler for everything from navigation and communications to scientific exploration and national security. By investing heavily in reusable rockets, it aims to reduce dependence on foreign launch providers, lower the cost of putting payloads into orbit, and secure a larger share of the global commercial launch market. This ambition is consistent with the country’s broader push to climb the value chain in advanced technologies.
The shift toward reusability is also being supported by financial reforms that make it easier for aerospace firms to access capital. Regulators have eased initial public offering rules for companies developing reusable rockets, and there are signs that this is already encouraging more firms to consider public listings. One report notes that China eases IPO rules for firms developing reusable rockets, describing the change as part of a wider effort to support strategic industries. Another analysis emphasizes that these moves are aligned with Beijing’s goal of strengthening its space capabilities relative to the United States, with Chinese regulators explicitly linking the reforms to the rise of reusable launch technology pioneered by U.S. billionaire Elon Musk’s aerospace company.
A coordinated national push toward reusable launch
All of these strands, from the Long March 10–derived rocket to Zhuque-3, Tianlong-3, and new IPO rules, point to a coordinated national push rather than a series of isolated experiments. China’s central authorities have identified reusable launch as a strategic priority, and they are aligning state owned enterprises, private startups, and financial markets around that objective. The planned debut of the reusable Long March 10–derived vehicle in early 2026 is therefore both a technological milestone and a symbol of how far this alignment has progressed.
As that launch approaches, international attention is likely to focus on whether China can match the reliability and rapid turnaround that have become hallmarks of leading reusable systems. The country’s broader trajectory, from its expanding space station to lunar ambitions, suggests that it will continue to invest heavily in the infrastructure needed to support frequent, low cost access to orbit. A general overview of China underscores how space has become a central arena for its technological and geopolitical aspirations, with reusable rockets now at the heart of that story.
Supporting sources: Elon Musk’s SpaceX watch out, China has new rules for ….
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