[ZH-1 Liquid Propellant Launch Vehicle First Stage Full System Test a Complete Success]
At 12:22 PM on February 11, 2026 Beijing Time, Beijing Space Zhihang Technology Co., Ltd. successfully completed the full system test of the first stage of the Zhihang-1 (codename: ZH-1) liquid propellant launch vehicle. This successful test marks the completion of all major ground tests prior to its maiden flight, and the Zhihang-1 rocket is about to embark on its first flight test mission.
This first-stage full system test verified the correctness of the Zhihang-1 rocket’s pressurization system design and its compatibility with the engine; verified the correctness of the launch control system and the coordination between various systems; assessed the performance of each system on the rocket during ignition and its adaptability to the environment; rehearsed the propellant loading process, pre-launch control process, venting process, and post-processing process; verified the coordination and support capabilities of the mobile launch ground system and equipment; rehearsed the procedures and support capabilities after shutdown; and tested the emergency response plan. The test was a complete success ….
At 1437 Beijing time on 12 February 2026, in the Yellow Sea near Rizhao, Shandong, the “Jielong-3” Yao-9 carrier rocket was ignited and launched on the China Successfully Launches Seven Satellites With One Rocket Today, the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in China successfully launched seven satellites—the Pakistan PRSC-EO2 satellite, the CUHK-1 satellite, the Power Infrared Satellite A, the Shutianyuxing 03-05 satellites, and a space environment monitoring satellite—using a Jielong-3 carrier rocket from the sea area near Yangjiang, Guangdong. The satellites successfully entered their predetermined orbits, and the launch mission was a complete success…..
successfully launched seven satellites, including the Pakistan PRSC-EO2 satellite…….Jielong-3 Y9 Rocket Launch Imminent] According to “Yangjiang Observation,” the Jielong-3 Y9 carrier rocket will launch at 14:36 on February 12th from the waters near Yangjiang, Guangdong, using a sea launch method with one rocket carrying seven satellites, the Pakistan PRSC-EO2 satellite, the CUHK-1 satellite, the Power Infrared Satellite A, the Shutianyuxing 03-05 satellites, and a space environment monitoring satellite—using a Jielong-3 carrier rocket from the sea area near Yangjiang, Guangdong. The satellites successfully entered their predetermined orbits, and the launch mission was a complete success.
The Smart Dragon-3 (SD-3) is a medium-sized solid-propellant carrier rocket developed by the First Academy of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and invested in by its subsidiary, the China Rocket Corporation. It features a four-stage tandem configuration, powered entirely by solid propellant engines developed by the Fourth Academy of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). Targeted for the commercial space launch market, the rocket is primarily used for launches to Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
The Jielong-3 rocket stands 31.8 meters tall, has a maximum diameter of 2.65 meters, a takeoff mass of 140 tons, and a takeoff thrust of 200 tons. When launched from sea, it can carry no less than 1.6 tons to a low-Earth orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 650 kilometers and an inclination of 55 degrees. The rocket was assembled at the China Rocket Corporation’s Haiyang plant in Shandong Province and features a 3.35-meter-diameter fairing.
This rocket is the first rocket of the “Jielong-3” batch production 01, marking the rocket’s transition from “customization” to “mass” production, which means that it will increase production capacity, reduce costs, support the implementation of higher-frequency launches, and meet the “low-cost, high-frequency” launch needs of commercial aerospace.
Currently, the China Rocket Corporation has signed a framework agreement with SpaceTime Aerospace for 10 rocket launches, and will conduct three consecutive launches (Yao-6, Yao-7, and Yao-8) for the Geely constellation within two months. The Yao-6 mission officially marks the beginning of a high-frequency launch of the Jielong-3 and the beginning of a period of intensive launches for the Geely constellation. This mission is the second launch of the Jielong-3 carrier rocket in 2025, the sixth launch of the Jielong-3 rocket in total and the seventh launch of the Jielong series of rockets.
长征十号Long March 10 series rockets used for manned lunar landing and other missions successfully completed the test of the first-stage rocket power system. During the test, the engine started normally, worked stably, shut down at a fixed time, and all parameters were tested normally. This test is the first system-level large-scale ground test of the Long March 10 series of launch vehicles. The matching of the first-stage booster delivery system and the engine, the propellant filling process, the multi-machine parallel power transmission and environmental characteristics and other technologies were fully verified. The
On CNSA –China National Space Administration …. Wenchang, Hainan Province, China, People’s Republic of China At 1500 Beijing time on 11 February 2026 , Long March 10 Carrier Rocket System Low-Altitude Demonstration and Verification and Mengzhou Manned Spacecraft System Maximum Dynamic Pressure Escape Flight Test Successfully Conducted… On February 11, 2026, Beijing time, China successfully conducted a low-altitude demonstration and verification of the Long March 10 carrier rocket system and a maximum dynamic pressure escape flight test of the Mengzhou manned spacecraft system at the Wenchang Space Launch Site. This test is another developmental flight test following the Long March 10 carrier rocket tethered ignition, the Mengzhou manned spacecraft zero-altitude escape flight, and the lunar lander landing and takeoff integrated verification tests, marking a significant breakthrough in China’s manned lunar exploration program. Rocket Recovery.
This test featured many highlights, including a new rocket model, a new spacecraft model, a new launch pad, and a new mission for the sea recovery of the rocket and spacecraft. Both the rocket and spacecraft involved in the test were in their prototype state. The rocket adopted a core-stage single-stage configuration and underwent two tethered ignition tests in the preliminary stage; the spacecraft’s return capsule underwent a zero-altitude escape flight test in the preliminary stage. To conduct this test, all relevant test products underwent adaptive modifications according to reusable requirements and procedures. The Wenchang Space Launch Site overcame various difficulties by adopting a strategy of simultaneous construction and use to ensure the test was carried out on schedule. The landing site system conducted targeted training and drills focusing on the technical challenges of the spacecraft’s first sea splashdown and recovery of the return capsule.
At 11:00 AM, the ground test command center issued the ignition command, the rocket ignited and lifted off, reaching the spacecraft’s maximum dynamic pressure escape conditions. The spacecraft received the escape command from the rocket and successfully separated and escaped. The rocket’s first stage and the spacecraft’s return capsule were safely splashed down in the designated sea area according to procedures.
This test marked the first ignition flight of the Long March 10 carrier rocket in its prototype state, China’s first maximum dynamic pressure escape test of a spacecraft, China’s first sea splashdown of a manned spacecraft’s return capsule and rocket’s first stage, and the first ignition flight test mission performed at the newly built launch pad at the Wenchang Space Launch Site. This successful test verified the flight performance of the rocket’s first-stage ascent and recovery phases, as well as the spacecraft’s maximum dynamic pressure escape and recovery functions. It also verified the compatibility of the interfaces of various engineering systems, accumulating valuable flight data and engineering experience for subsequent manned lunar exploration missions .
[China Completes First Sea Search and Recovery Mission for Manned Spacecraft Return Capsule] On February 11, 2026, Beijing time, during the low-altitude demonstration and verification of the Long March 10 carrier rocket system and the maximum dynamic pressure escape flight test of the Mengzhou manned spacecraft system, the Mengzhou manned spacecraft successfully implemented maximum dynamic pressure escape and safely splashed down at sea. Mengzhou Spacecraft Safe Recovery….
At 12:20 PM on the 11th, the maritime search and rescue team completed the search and recovery mission of the return capsule. This is China’s first manned spacecraft search and recovery mission at sea, accumulating important experience for subsequent space station application and development missions and manned lunar landing missions. The
Mengzhou manned spacecraft involved in this test is mainly used for China’s manned lunar exploration mission, while also serving the operation of the near-Earth space station. The spacecraft’s return capsule has the capability for multiple reuses…
长征十号Long March 10 series rockets used for manned lunar landing and other missions successfully completed the test of the first-stage rocket power system. During the test, the engine started normally, worked stably, shut down at a fixed time, and all parameters were tested normally. This test is the first system-level large-scale ground test of the Long March 10 series of launch vehicles. The matching of the first-stage booster delivery system and the engine, the propellant filling process, the multi-machine parallel power transmission and environmental characteristics and other technologies were fully verified. The
Long March 10 rocket is a three-and-a-half-stage rocket developed for the manned lunar exploration project. The total length of the rocket is 92.5 meters, the takeoff weight is about 2,189 tons, the takeoff thrust is about 2,678 tons, and the Earth-Moon transfer orbit carrying capacity is not less than 27 tons. In the future, it will be used to launch a new generation of manned spacecraft and lunar landers. In addition, the Long March 10 has also designed another booster-free configuration that can perform space station astronaut and cargo transportation tasks….
On the Month of February 2026 the Newest part of China Lunar Manned Mission to the moon Reusable Carrier Rocket the Long March 10 series reusable Carrier Rocket stage one recovery ecosystem platform netting retrieving system has been fully constructed in full scale The Navigator, China’s first rocket net-system recovery ship, developed by the First Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology, departed port this afternoon. (Figures 2-3 are digitally generated illustrations of the successful recovery of the first stage of the Long March 10A rocket.)
The Long March 10 series carrier rockets are a new generation of manned carrier rockets developed by the First Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation for manned lunar exploration missions. The tethered fire tests of the Long March 10 series of launch vehicles were conducted in a step-by-step, phased approach, focusing on two objectives: performance verification of the seven-engine, parallel-stage engine power system, and verification of recovery and reuse. These tests aimed to capture the true payload environment characteristics of the seven-engine, parallel-stage system and verify the recovery procedures. These tests were a key measure to mitigate risks associated with the maiden flight.
The grid fins and recovery hook on the top of a Long March 10 test rocket are clearly visible, while the bottom appears to have leading-edge fins (correction: it should be external piping), giving a glimpse of the future of marine net-system recovery…
Comparing the Long March 10A and the Long March 10 series stationary rocket (modified from
a CZ-10A) to a scaled-down CZ-10A makes the difference quite clear. The “Long March 10 stationary rocket + top counterweight” currently erected in Wenchang for the Mengzhou MaxQ escape test is exactly the same length as the first stage of the CZ-10A (the grid fin positions even match). It’s speculated that a fake second stage may be added later to simulate full-scale flight. I. Core Tasks and Latest Developments
The Long March 10 (codename CZ-10), the core launch vehicle for China’s manned lunar landing program, has recently completed several key tests, accelerating the verification of the manned lunar landing system .
Tethered ignition test : Two tests were completed in Wenchang in August and September 2025, successfully verifying the stability of seven YF-100K engines working in parallel (130 tons thrust per engine), and breaking through the performance of low-condition operation, secondary ignition start-up and thermal protection materials.
Escape test preparation : In January 2026, a Long March 10 test rocket body with a top counterweight was found at the Wenchang 301 launch site. It is intended to be used for the maximum dynamic pressure escape test of the Mengzhou spacecraft to simulate the astronauts’ escape ability under extreme flight conditions. @ChinaAirlines…43240
Low-altitude flight test : planned for 2026, to verify the attitude control and landing accuracy of the rocket recovery stage, laying the foundation for reusability.@Zhang Yan of Houen Investment…55
Derivative Model First Flight Countdown
Long March 10A (CZ-10A) : Dedicated configuration for low Earth orbit, reusable first stage, with a payload capacity of ≥14 tons. Its maiden flight is planned for 2026, carrying out the docking mission of the Mengzhou-1 unmanned spacecraft with the space station. The launch window is tentatively set for February 11 (unofficially confirmed).@Kaldarwalich143639
Long March 10B (CZ-10B) : A commercial launch model with a reusable first-stage liquid oxygen-methane engine. It is planned to make its maiden flight in April 2026 and attempt to recover the rocket using a network system on a sea platform
II. Technological Breakthroughs and Design Innovation
Recyclable technology route
The net-based recovery system employs a patented design with telescopic damping rods and hook mechanisms to cushion the impact of a rocket’s tilted landing, making it suitable for recovery from offshore platforms. Supporting equipment has entered mass production, with companies such as Taisheng Wind Power participating in the supply. @Vony7153146
Engine reliability : The YF-100K engine passed the 320-second long-duration ignition test and passed the 15 repeated ignition verifications, providing support for reuse.twenty three67
Performance parameters international benchmarking
Comparison of Chinese and American rockets : The Long March 10 has a lunar transfer orbit payload capacity of 27 tons, comparable to the American SLS Block 1 (26 tons); however, the SLS’s takeoff thrust (3752 tons) is significantly higher than that of the Long March 10 (2678 tons).8
Modular design : This has led to the development of lunar landing version (CZ-10), space station cargo version (CZ-10A), and commercial version (CZ-10B), enabling flexible adaptation to missions
III. Strategic Background and Project Milestones
The goal of landing on the moon by 2030 is clear.
Mission architecture : The mission will employ a “two-launch, lunar docking” model. First, the Long March 10 rocket will launch the lunar lander into lunar orbit, followed by the launch of the Mengzhou spacecraft for docking, after which the astronauts will transfer to the lander to land on the moon.@CCTVNews3061
Timeline : The lunar-landing version of the rocket is planned for its maiden flight in 2027, the manned spacecraft will be launched in 2028, and Chinese people will land on the moon before 2030. @People’s Daily4954
Supporting systems work together to advance
Launch site construction : Three lightning protection towers at launch site 301 in Wenchang have been completed, and the fourth is nearing completion. The final assembly plant is nearly 100 meters high, housing facilities for the Long March 5 and Long March 7 rockets, supporting tests of rocket bodies up to 100 meters in length.21238
Astronaut Training : 28 active-duty astronauts completed a 6-day closed-loop survival training in the Wulong Karst Cave in Chongqing, simulating the extreme environment of the moon
IV. Industry Impact and Market Attention
Commercial Spaceflight Boom
The rocket race is heating up : More than 10 new rockets are planned to make their maiden flights in China in 2026, with the national Long March 10B competing with private rockets such as the Zhuque-3 and Tianlong-3 for breakthroughs in reusable technology. 47566075
Satellite networking is driving the development of China’s StarNet and Qianfan constellations, which require tens of thousands of low-Earth orbit satellites, thus necessitating high-frequency rocket launches. The Hainan launch site is expanding with four launch pads, increasing its annual launch capacity to over 60 launches.@StockMarketAngela76
Capital Market Linkage
Concept stocks in focus : Aerospace Power (engines), Chaojie Shares (structural components), and Western Materials (titanium alloys) are attracting attention, while the stock prices of companies that recycle patents through the Internet system are fluctuating.
V. Little-known facts: Engineering details and humanistic perspectives
AI-simulated scenario : The First Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology released an AI rendering of the Long March 10 rocket standing at its Wenchang launch site, showing that the rocket may adopt an inclined support design. 1244
The names are deeply meaningful : the “Dream Boat” spacecraft embodies the dream of carrying people into the universe, while the “Moon Lander” is derived from the poem “able to ascend to the ninth heaven and reach for the moon”, continuing the lineage of Chinese culture.3670
Note: Dates such as the first flight on February 11th posted by unofficial accounts must be confirmed by the Engineering Office.
On the 29th January 2026, Hours Hong- Kong SAR – Beijing time CNSA –China National Space Administration , China, People’s Republic of China . …. China successfully launched the Successful Long-Duration Test of 240-Ton-Class Commercial Reusable High-Pressure Staged Combustion Liquid Oxygen-Kernel Engine…. On January 29, 2026, the 240-ton-class commercial reusable high-pressure staged combustion liquid oxygen-kerosene engine of the Sixth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation successfully completed a 200-second long-duration test. This engine, designed for domestic commercial users and developed for medium and large-sized reusable launch vehicles, boasts performance indicators reaching international leading levels.
