China’s Long March 10 Rocket: A Leap Toward Lunar Ambitions and Reusable Spaceflight
China successfully completed a low-altitude test of its Long March-10 rocket on February 11, 2026, marking a significant milestone in its manned lunar exploration program. The test, conducted at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan province, involved a demonstration and verification flight, including a successful abort sequence and capsule recovery.
The Long March-10: Powering China’s Lunar Dreams
The Long March-10 is designed as a super heavy-lift launch vehicle, capable of delivering 70,000 kg to low Earth orbit and 27,000 kg to trans-lunar injection. This capability is crucial for China’s ambitions to establish a sustained presence on the Moon. The Mengzhou spacecraft, nicknamed “dream vessel,” is slated to launch on a Long March 10A rocket later this year for its first orbital test flight, docking with the Tiangong space station.
The full-size Long March 10 boasts 21 engines across three first-stage boosters, providing the necessary power to send the 26-metric-ton Mengzhou spacecraft to the Moon.
Reusable Rocket Technology Gains Momentum
The recovery of the Long March-10 booster after the in-flight abort test is a key step towards mastering reusable rocket technology, according to the China Aerospace and Science Technology Corporation (CASC). This success comes amidst a surge in reusable rocket development within China, with at least ten companies actively pursuing this technology.
Recent developments include the debut of the Zhuque-3 and Long March 12A rockets in December, both featuring recoverable boosters. While the boosters didn’t achieve a landing, these launches represent significant progress. Several other Chinese companies have as well been conducting high-altitude “hop tests” to refine vertical takeoff and vertical landing technologies.
China’s Space Program in a Global Context
China’s advancements in space technology are occurring alongside NASA’s preparations for a crewed lunar flyby. However, a US-made lunar lander capable of transporting crews to the lunar surface is still several years away. China’s progress in reusable rocket technology is also noteworthy, as it seeks to emulate the success of SpaceX in the United States.
Key Technical Details of the Long March-10
- Height: 92.5 meters (303 feet)
- Diameter: 5.0 meters (16.4 feet)
- Mass: 2,189,000 kg (4,826,000 lb)
- Payload to Low Earth Orbit: 70,000 kg (150,000 lb)
- Payload to Trans-lunar Injection: 27,000 kg (60,000 lb)
- Boosters: 2, each with a propellant mass of 520,000 kg (1,150,000 lb)
- Engines: 7 YF-100K engines per booster (sea level thrust: 8,750 kN, vacuum thrust: 9,772 kN)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the purpose of the Long March-10 rocket?
- The Long March-10 is designed to be a super heavy-lift launch vehicle for manned lunar missions and large payload deliveries to orbit.
- What is the Mengzhou spacecraft?
- Mengzhou is a new-generation crewed spacecraft developed by China, intended for lunar missions and orbital flights.
- Is the Long March-10 reusable?
- China is actively developing reusable technologies for the Long March-10, as demonstrated by the recent booster recovery test.
- How does China’s space program compare to the US program?
- China is making rapid advancements in both lunar exploration and reusable rocket technology, positioning itself as a major player in space alongside the United States.
Pro Tip: Maintain an eye on CASC for further updates on the Long March-10 program and China’s progress towards establishing a lunar base.
What are your thoughts on China’s rapid advancements in space exploration? Share your comments below!