China on Friday (July 10) successfully tested an experimental rocket retrieval system using a net attached to a sea platform, state media reported, in the hopes of breaking U.S. dominance in reusable rockets.

The Long March 10B rocket lifted off from the Hainan commercial space launch site in southern China and, about six minutes after separation of its booster and upper stage, the booster returned vertically and was recovered on an offshore platform, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

It marked China's first successful controlled recovery of a carrier rocket's booster, CCTV said.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

China successfully tests sea-based rocket booster recovery system, state media says

VIDEO SHOWS: LONG MARCH 10B ON LAUNCH PAD / LONG MARCH-10B LIFTING OFF / VARIOUS OF ROCKET ASCENDING / ROCKET IN FLIGHT

SHOWS: WENCHANG, HAINAN PROVINCE, CHINA (AIRED ON JULY 10, 2026) (CCTV - No use China)

1. LONG MARCH-10B LIFTING OFF

2. ROCKET ASCENDING

3. STAGE SEPARATION AS SEEN FROM ROCKET

4. FIRST STAGE DESCENDING

5. VARIOUS OF FIRST STAGE APPROACHING RECOVERY PLATFORM

6. ROCKET ASCENDING

7. ROCKET ASCENDING AS SEEN FROM ROCKET

8. ROCKET ASCENDING

9. VARIOUS OF AERIAL VIEWS OF ROCKET ON LAUNCH PAD

10. VARIOUS OF ROCKET ON LAUNCH PAD

11. STAFF STANDING NEAR PART OF ROCKET

12. FIRST STAGE APPROACHING RECOVERY PLATFORM