China Successfully Tests Long March 10A Reusable Rocket Stage
China achieved its first success at testing the Long March 10A reusable rocket through its first operational test flight. The testing process required the rocket to execute controlled descent operations which ended with it splashing down in the ocean near Hainan Province while also testing emergency abort functions for the new Mengzhou crew spacecraft.
The Long March 10A is a two stage launch vehicle designed to support future manned missions to the Moon. The following elements represent its main features:
- The rocket reaches 67 meters in height while its diameter measures approximately 5 meters.
- The first stage uses seven YF 100K oxygen kerosene engines for its propulsion system.
- The first stage uses a different recovery method because it performs controlled descent operations to the sea which enables future reuse of the stage.
The Wenchang Satellite Launch Center hosted all testing operations. Engineers created an emergency situation during the flight test which occurred at maximum aerodynamic pressure. The testing successfully showed how the Mengzhou spacecraft's abort system functions. The uncrewed spacecraft successfully detached from the launch vehicle and executed a safe landing through parachute descent which demonstrated that emergency recovery systems function as intended.
The implementation of reusable architecture will bring down launch expenses by about one third which enables more efficient operations. The Chinese mission to achieve Moon landing by 2030 requires this efficiency. The following main milestones will happen in the upcoming period:
- 2026: The Mengzhou spacecraft will start its first orbital missions at this expected time.
- The Future: The Long March 10 heavy lift variant will develop three core modules for its dedicated lunar missions.
The successful recovery operation shows that China will meet its timeline requirements for developing lunar infrastructure while increasing its heavy lift launch capabilities through hardware reuse.
