China launched and recovered the first stage of its Long March-10B rocket on Friday, using a net-capture system at sea – a global first in operational reusable rocket technology.

Liftoff occurred at 12:15 p.m. from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site. About six minutes after stage separation, the first stage descended vertically and was caught by a net on the "Navigator" recovery platform.

"Dead center. The precision control was outstanding," said Chen Mingbo, chairman of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

The Long March-10B is a two-stage, 5-meter-diameter liquid-fueled rocket. Its first stage is shared with the crew-rated Long March-10A. The rocket delivers a lift-off thrust of about 890 tonnes, a launch mass of roughly 760 tonnes and a reusable low-Earth orbit payload capacity of 16 tonnes.

How the net works

Unlike conventional reusable rockets that land on deployable legs, the Long March-10B uses four hooks next to its grid fins. During descent, the hooks engage with steel cables on the recovery platform's net system.

"The net is a movable mechanism with four steel cables that actively seeks out the rocket's hooks, providing a cushioned capture," said Hao Jinjie, an engineer working at CASC.

The principle resembles aircraft carrier arresting gear. A carrier stops a plane horizontally, while the net catches a rocket vertically.

The "Navigator," China's first dedicated net-capture vessel, is 144 meters long and 50 meters wide with a full-load displacement of 25,000 tonnes. It features dynamic positioning, holding station in waves.

A high-dynamic sea rendezvous

After separation, the first stage must reorient, decelerate and navigate back within about six minutes. The vessel and rocket – each with six degrees of freedom – must synchronize under wave disturbance.

"It's like dropping a pen from the 100th floor into a pencil holder, while keeping its speed and orientation under control," Hao explained.

The team will refurbish the recovered first stage, with a re-flight expected before year's end.

"If reuse cycles are sufficient, costs could drop 20% to 30%," said Hao. "With further maturation, the reduction could reach 50% to 60%."