China became the second nation to recover an orbital-class booster on 10 July 2026, executing the world’s first net-based capture of a Long March 10B first stage during its maiden flight. The booster descended vertically and was snatched mid-air by a sea-based net system on the Linghangzhe platform roughly 300 km offshore, bypassing landing legs entirely. This method offers greater adaptability to landing-point deviations compared to SpaceX’s tower-catch or leg-landing approaches, potentially accelerating turnaround and reducing structural mass. CASC confirmed the booster will fly again before end-2026, signaling immediate reuse intent. The feat directly contests U.S. reusable rocket dominance, cutting launch costs and advancing China’s crewed lunar and Mars ambitions.