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At  7^th July , 2026 Beijing time, the Long March 10B Yao 1 carrier rocket began erection at Launch Complex 2 of the CNSA – China National Space Administration-  Hainan Commercial Space Launch Center, Hainan Province, China, People’s Republic of China. . At midnight on July 7, the Long March 10B Y1 carrier rocket was successfully transferred to Launch Pad 2 at the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site.

China Achieves First Controlled Rocket Recovery -Long March 10B Rocket Successfully Achieves Controlled Recovery of First Stage

At 12:15 PM on July 10, 2026, the Long March 10B carrier rocket launched from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site. Approximately six minutes after the first and second stages separated, the first stage returned vertically and was successfully recovered on a sea-based recovery platform.

This marks China’s first successful controlled recovery of a carrier rocket’s first stage, and also the world’s first network-based recovery of a carrier rocket. [Long March 10B Rocket Successfully Achieves Controlled Recovery of First Stage] At 12:15 PM on July 10, 2026, the Long March 10B carrier rocket launched from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site. Approximately six minutes after the first and second stages separated, the first stage returned vertically and was successfully recovered on a sea-based recovery platform.

This marks China’s first successful controlled recovery of a carrier rocket’s first stage, and also the world’s first network-based recovery of a carrier rocket.

At 12:15 on July 10, 2026, the Long March 10B carrier rocket successfully completed the world’s first net-system recovery of a carrier rocket at the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site. The first stage landed vertically and was precisely captured by the sea platform.

I. Task Overview

• Launch time : Approximately 12:10 to 12:15 PM on July 10, 2026.
•  Launch site : Launch pad 2 at the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site.1
• Recovery time : Approximately 6 minutes after the first and second stages of the rocket separated, the first stage was successfully recovered on the sea recovery platform
• Technological breakthrough : China has successfully implemented the first-stage controlled recovery of a carrier rocket for the first time, and it is also the world’s first verification of a carrier rocket’s net-system recovery

II. Highlights of Grid-Based Recycling Technology

• Capture method : The first stage of the rocket does not have landing legs installed. Instead, it has four sets of folding hooks at the bottom. When it descends to the airspace above the recovery ship, it is captured in the air by a high-strength flexible barrier net.
• Weight reduction advantages : It eliminates approximately 2 tons of dead weight on the landing legs, and the near-Earth orbit carrying capacity in the recovered state is still no less than 16 tons.
• Fault-tolerant design : The fault-tolerant window for recovery is widened to ±50 meters, and the requirement for engine thrust adjustment accuracy is relaxed from 1% to 5%.
• Specifications of the recovery vessel : The dedicated recovery vessel “Navigator” is 144 meters long and 50 meters wide, with a full load displacement of 25,000 tons, and is equipped with a DP2 dynamic positioning system.

III. Rocket Core Parameters

IV. Recycling Process

• Primary and secondary separation.
• The grid rudder adjusts the attitude.
• High-altitude reverse thrust deceleration.
• Atmospheric reentry.
• Low-altitude depth throttling.
• Dynamic alignment of ship and rocket.
• Hook-lock cable flexible capture.

Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned SpaceCNSA-China National Space Administration

On CNSA –China National Space Administration神舟二十三号Shenzhou23  Takionaut crew Embark On July 5, 2026, the Shenzhou-23 crew (Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Li Jiaying) successfully baked a cake on the space station using a specially designed hot air baking machine. This marks the second time this year that Chinese astronauts have completed baking in orbit, signifying that the “freshly baked era” in space has become the norm.

Takionauts Baking Cake In Space

I. Latest News: Shenzhou-23 Crew Baking Cake in Space

• Date : July 5, 2026, the China Manned Space Agency released the latest episode of “Tiangong TV”.
• Crew : Shenzhou-23 astronauts Zhu Yangzhu and Zhang Zhiyuan, and the first Hong Kong payload specialist, Li Jiaying.13
• Results : Using China’s unique “space oven,” a cake was successfully baked, and Li Jiaying showed the finished product to the camera.
• Background : The crew had previously used the same equipment to bake pumpkins, and this time they were baking cakes, which updated the “Tiangong menu” once again

II. Core Technology: How is Microgravity Baking Achieved?

III. Development Stages: From Initial Breakthrough to Regular Operation

• New Year’s Eve debut (February 16, 2026) : The Shenzhou-21 crew completed the first-ever baking of a cake in space on New Year’s Eve, using a hot air baking machine sent by Shenzhou-21, which weighs about 5.8 kilograms.
• Technical significance : It realizes the Maillard reaction (caramelization and browning) under microgravity, truly achieving “cooking” rather than simple heating.
• Dietary evolution : This marks the transition of China’s space station’s food support from “survival-oriented” to “life-oriented,” allowing astronauts to enjoy freshly baked hot meals. The menu has been expanded to more than 190 dishes, with no repetition for 10 days.

IV. Crew and Mission Highlights

• The Shenzhou-23 crew consisted of the third and fourth batches of astronauts, with Lai Ka-ying being the first astronaut from Hong Kong.
• Mission Background : This cake-baking activity took place after completing demanding tasks such as installing the “Tianyun Camera” outside the cabin, and served as a way to relax during a work break.3
• Lifelike Presentation : The latest Tiangong TV footage juxtaposes baking cakes with daily routines such as cleaning and medical checkups, showing that life in space is becoming.

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On the Month of July 6^th 2026, After approximately 400 days and 1 billion kilometers of flight, the CNSA – China National Space Administration – CLEP Tianwen-2 probe successfully rendezvoused with Earth’s quasi-satellite 2016HO3 in early July 2026. At a distance of 20 kilometers, it began scientific exploration and transmitted back heart-shaped images, earning praise from the media as “textbook-level deep-space piloting.” Subsequently, it will conduct multi-mode sampling and plans to return the samples to Earth by the end of 2027. Afterward, it will fly to the main-belt comet 311P to carry out a decade-long extended exploration..

I. Latest progress and key milestones of the mission

• Successful rendezvous : In early July 2026, the Tianwen-2 probe successfully rendezvoused with asteroid 2016HO3 at a distance of about 20 kilometers, officially commencing scientific exploration.
• First capture : On June 6, 2026, the probe captured images of the asteroid for the first time from a distance of about 30,000 kilometers.
• Coplanar flight : On June 7, capture control was implemented at an altitude of 30,000 kilometers, achieving coplanar flight with the asteroid’s orbit.@Kaldarwalich25
• Autonomous navigation : On June 19, it switched to fully autonomous navigation mode at a distance of 2000 kilometers.

II. Comparison of Key Engineering Data

III. Key Features of the Target Asteroid 2016HO3

• Identity : Earth quasi-satellite, also known as Kamoʻoalewa, permanent number 469219.
• Origin hypothesis : It may be lunar impact debris or a main belt captured celestial body, which has extremely high scientific research value.
• Physical characteristics : An S-type silicate asteroid with a surface covered in gravelly rock fragments. In a microgravity environment, the probe needs to autonomously fly alongside it rather than fly around it

IV. Planning for the Next Two Steps

1. Detailed Exploration and Sampling (July 2026 – April 2027)

• Gradually approaching : advancing from 20 kilometers, 3 kilometers to 300 meters, to conduct morphological, compositional, and internal structure detection.

• Sampling methods : Three modes will be used: touch-and-go, hovering robotic arm, and world’s first anchored drilling. The plan is to collect at least 100 grams of sample.

• Sample return : The return capsule is expected to re-enter the atmosphere at a speed of approximately 12 km/s and land on Earth by the end of 2027.13

2. Fly to main-belt comet 311P (after 2027)

• Gravity slingshot : The main probe uses Earth’s gravity to accelerate and turn towards the main-belt comet 311P, which lies between Mars and Jupiter.

• Exploration period : Approximately 7 years in total, with a total mission duration of approximately 10 years. The focus is on studying comet ejecta, internal structure, and the distribution of water ice in the early solar system.10

V. Focus of Public Opinion

• “Textbook-level deep space driving” : The public and media highly praised its step-by-step autonomous navigation, error compression, and precise microgravity control.@ArmorResearcher2
• “A Cosmic Heart” : The first images transmitted back by the probe showed that the asteroid’s outline was heart-shaped, sparking widespread discussion..
• China-Japan comparison discussion : Some users compared it with Japan’s Hayabusa2 mission, emphasizing that Tianwen-2 is more technically challenging.

• Distinguishing between accompanying and orbiting : Science bloggers point out that because the asteroid’s gravity is extremely weak, Tianwen-2 is actually “accompanying” rather than “orbiting”

Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned SpaceCNSA-China National Space Administration

On CNSA –China National Space Administration    …. ChangZheng  Long March 8A Carrier flight rocket …. At Hainan Commercial Space Launch Center. Wenchang, Hainan Province, China, People’s Republic of China , At 21:43 Beijing time on July 5, 2026, a Long March 8A carrier rocket successfully launched 15 Qianfan polar-orbiting satellites into their predetermined orbits from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site. This mission marked the 656th flight

of the Long March series carrier rockets. The Long March 8A Y9 carrier rocket used in this mission was the first to feature an upgraded second-stage engine, and its pressurization and delivery system was simultaneously upgraded to a two-configuration state, better suited to subsequent satellite transport needs.

This mission was the maiden flight of the Long March 8A rocket after significant performance upgrades, completing verification of several key technologies, including flight profile orbital energy optimization and the new engine. The rocket’s payload capacity has achieved a leap forward, with record-breaking numbers of satellites carried in a single launch and total weight into orbit. The upgraded powerful payload capacity further solidifies the technical foundation for subsequent high-density, large-payload, and batch constellation launches.

 Recent Key Updates on Launch Missions

• July 5th Mission (Qianfan Polar Orbit 15) : At 21:43, the Long March 8A Y9 carrier rocket was launched from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site, accurately sending 20 satellites into orbit using a “one rocket, 20 satellites” method. This was the 656th flight of the Long March series rockets. During the mission, the impact of Typhoon Maysak was effectively addressed, and the mission was successfully completed after dynamic adjustments to the launch window
• July 4 mission (Qianfan Polar Orbit Group 13) : At 17:30, the Long March 6A carrier rocket was successfully launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in a “one rocket, eighteen satellites” manner. After this launch, the total number of Qianfan constellations in orbit reached 223 (including 5 experimental satellites and 218 networking satellites).
• Cross-field coordination and high-frequency rhythm : Successful launches from the north and south launch sites within two days have verified China’s mature scheduling capabilities for multi-rocket formation coordination, parallel testing in multiple locations, and high-density launches and tests in commercial spaceflight

Qianfan Constellation Network Deployment Progress and Construction Plan

The “Qianfan Constellation” (also known as G60 Starlink), built and operated by Shanghai Yuanxin Satellite Technology Co., Ltd., is my country’s first mega-scale low-Earth orbit commercial satellite internet constellation to enter the formal networking phase. Its construction is progressing steadily according to the following milestones:

 Key Technology Breakthroughs and Supply Chain Verification – **Leap in Launch Performance**: The Long March 8A Y9 rocket, which carried out the mission on July 5th, underwent its first upgrade to its second-stage engine, and simultaneously replaced its pressurized delivery system with a 2-configuration system. The upgrade optimized the flight profile and orbital energy, achieving new highs for both the number of rockets carried in a single launch and the total weight into orbit

**Innovation in Launch and Testing Efficiency**: Hainan Commercial Launch has established a parallel operation mode with dual vertical test stations for the Long March 8 series, increasing its annual launch and testing capacity to 30 launches; the Long March 6A rocket has simultaneously completed the modification of the second-stage propellant tank protection scheme and the optimization of the integrated external test and safety control equipment, significantly enhancing the efficiency of final assembly and testing in multiple locations..

**Mature Mass Production of Satellites**: The networking satellites were mass-produced by companies such as Gesun Aerospace and the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The breakthrough in flat-panel stacking technology from “18 satellites per rocket” to “20 satellites per rocket” proves that the flat design, thermal environment adaptability, and separation mechanism of low-Earth orbit satellites are fully mature, and the supply chain has the capability for monthly frequency delivery

🌍 Strategic Value and Commercial Prospects – **Seizing Low Earth Orbit Frequency Resources**: Low Earth orbit positions and communication frequencies follow the International Telecommunication Union’s “first-come, first-served” rule. Given that overseas constellations have already occupied a large number of high-quality orbits, the high-frequency, intensive launches of the Qianfan constellation represent a national strategic-driven resource defense effort, aiming to firmly grasp the initiative in space infrastructure.

**Filling the gaps and providing emergency support:** The constellation network will completely solve the network communication blind spots in ocean shipping, aviation internet, high-altitude deserts and marine scientific research, and provide an irreplaceable emergency information lifeline when extreme disasters cause damage to ground facilities.

 **The industry is entering a period of performance realization:** Commercial aerospace is transitioning from the “proof of concept” stage to the “order delivery and operational monetization” stage. The upstream and downstream industrial chains, including satellite assembly, core onboard components (such as TR chips and radiation-resistant RF components), rocket propulsion, and ground terminal manufacturing, are experiencing a surge in orders, and the sector’s investment logic and commercial operation are maturing simultaneously.

Images and visuals are from their Respectives CMS China Manned SpaceCNSA-China National Space Administration