Key breakthrough in reusable rocket technology! The first stage of the Long March 10 carrier rocket made a controlled splashdown, aiming for "net recovery." Experts say: net recovery is more stable

"After Shenzhou, Mengzhou is ready to take off." On February 11, our country successfully organized and implemented the low-altitude demonstration verification of the Long March 10 carrier rocket system and the maximum dynamic pressure escape flight test of the Mengzhou manned spacecraft system at the Wenchang Space Launch Site, marking an important breakthrough in the development of our country's manned lunar exploration project. A reporter from the Daily Economic News (hereinafter referred to as "the reporter") learned that this test features many highlights, including a new model rocket, a new model spacecraft, a new launch site, and new tasks for the sea recovery of the rocket and spacecraft, with both the rocket and spacecraft participating in the test being in their prototype state. Overcoming the "Most Dangerous Moment": Successful Maximum Dynamic Pressure Escape Test of Mengzhou Spacecraft According to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, "Mengzhou" is a new generation of reusable manned spacecraft independently developed by our country, fully upgraded and developed based on the Shenzhou spacecraft, featuring a modular design composed of a return cabin and a service cabin, which will be used for near-Earth space station operations and manned lunar exploration missions in the future, with the lunar version model named "Mengzhou Y." The maximum dynamic pressure escape test conducted this time is an important "major test" in the development of the Mengzhou manned spacecraft. International space expert Yu Guang told the reporter that in manned spaceflight missions, the launch and return phases carry extremely high risks. For crewed rockets, the safety and reliability standards are far higher than those for uncrewed rockets, equipped not only with a complete fault detection system but also with a large number of redundant backup designs. However, even so, absolute safety cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, the spacecraft also needs to have an emergency escape system, serving as an important barrier for astronauts' escape and survival. In June 2025, our country successfully organized and implemented the zero-height escape flight test of the Mengzhou manned spacecraft, which targeted the escape scenario in case of emergencies at the launch tower. When the rocket ignites and ascends, the aerodynamic forces acting on the rocket and spacecraft combination will first rise and then fall with changes in speed and air density, reaching a peak value known as maximum dynamic pressure. Yu Guang emphasized that this is the "most dangerous moment" during the entire launch phase. The escape system of the Mengzhou spacecraft needs to be verified for its reliability through a series of rigorous tests. Yu Guang stated that both the previous zero-height escape test and this maximum dynamic pressure escape test are essential "examinations." The successful completion of the maximum dynamic pressure escape flight test of the Mengzhou spacecraft marks an important step forward for future manned missions and supporting the manned lunar landing project. The task was undertaken by the first stage of the Long March 10 series rocket. According to the China Manned Space Engineering Office, the Long March 10 is a new generation of manned launch rocket independently developed by our country, which will undertake the launch tasks of the Mengzhou Y manned spacecraft and the lunar lander for the lunar landing mission. Among them, the Long March 10A is a reusable launch rocket derived from the Long March 10, mainly used for near-Earth orbit flight missions. Breakthrough in Sea Recovery Technology: Controlled Splashdown of Rocket First Stage, Aiming for "Net Recovery" Before this mission, there were market rumors that the first stage of the Long March 10 series rocket would simultaneously conduct tests related to sea net recovery. Although relevant details have not been officially disclosed, according to Xinhua News Agency, the first stage of the Long March 10 carrier rocket safely splashed down in the designated sea area as per the program. Safe Splashdown (Source: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation) According to the WeChat official account of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, this time the rocket's first stage successfully completed the return flight and controlled splashdown, marking an important progress in China's reusable rocket technology. “This lays a solid foundation for the subsequent full-profile flight of this type of rocket and achieving offshore net recovery, and also signifies that China has made a substantial key step in breaking through and mastering reusable rocket technology.” The capital market reacted quickly. On February 11, the marine equipment and rocket recovery sectors performed actively, with stocks such as China Haifang (600764.SH), Hailanxin (300065.SZ), and Tongyizhong (688722.SH) rising. Yu Guang stated that offshore net recovery essentially still belongs to vertical landing recovery, but unlike the "landing legs" style recovery commonly used in commercial spaceflight, the core difference of net recovery lies in the stability of the system. Yu Guang analyzed that using landing legs to support the rocket is like "a stick standing on the ground," where even slight disturbances at the bottom can cause the rocket to topple. At the same time, to withstand huge impacts and maintain stability, the landing legs themselves are structurally heavy, which directly consumes the rocket's precious payload capacity. Net recovery, on the other hand, is similar to the "chopsticks holding the rocket" scheme, capturing and suspending from above, "any disturbances below will at most just cause a few shakes." Yu Guang stated that net recovery is not only more stable but also eliminates the need for heavy landing leg structures, allowing the rocket to only require a sturdy "hanging point," thereby allocating more capacity to the payload. However, Yu Guang also pointed out the challenges of the net recovery method: it relies on a sufficiently large ground or offshore recovery facility, whether it is a massive net support frame or a recovery ship. "There will always be errors in position, speed, and posture when the rocket lands, and to reliably catch the rocket within the allowable error range, (this facility) must closely coordinate with the rocket." On November 30, 2025, the first offshore platform for rocket net recovery, "Navigator," developed by the First Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, will be delivered. This platform is China's first certified offshore rocket recovery platform, which, along with net recovery devices and other products, will work together to build a stable, reliable, and precise rocket recovery system at sea. Daily Economic News Risk Warning and Disclaimer The market has risks, and investment requires caution. This article does not constitute personal investment advice and does not take into account the specific investment goals, financial conditions, or needs of individual users. Users should consider whether any opinions, views, or conclusions in this article are suitable for their specific circumstances. Investment based on this is at your own risk