China has made significant strides in its lunar exploration ambitions by successfully testing its new Long March-10 rocket and Mengzhou spacecraft. On February 11, 2026, the China Manned Spaceflight Agency (CMSA) conducted a pivotal test at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site located in Hainan Province. This achievement is a crucial step in China’s plan to establish a lunar outpost as a competitor to NASA’s Artemis Program.
The test involved a low-altitude demonstration of the Long March-10 rocket and an in-flight abort test of the Mengzhou spacecraft. This marked the first ignition flight for the Long March-10, during which the spacecraft navigated through a critical phase known as maximum dynamic pressure, or Max Q. This phase occurs as the rocket ascends through the denser layers of the atmosphere, where aerodynamic stress peaks.
The in-flight abort test is vital for ensuring the safety of the crew capsule, which can separate from the rocket in emergency situations. Both the Mengzhou spacecraft and the rocket’s first stage successfully landed in their designated recovery zones, showcasing the effectiveness of the systems in place.
According to CMSA spokesperson Ji Qiming, the Long March-10 is designed as a next-generation, partially reusable launch system for crewed lunar missions. The rocket is available in two configurations: a three-stage model with two strap-on boosters, akin to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and ULA’s Vulcan and Atlas V rockets, and a second version, the 10A, which has two stages without boosters.
The propulsion system for the Long March-10 consists of seven engines powered by liquid oxygen (LOX) and kerosene. The Mengzhou spacecraft, which translates to “Dream Vessel,” is capable of carrying between six and seven taikonauts. After the spacecraft detached from the rocket, the Long March-10 continued its ascent until it reached its target altitude and speed, at which point its engines were shut down.
As the rocket transitioned to its glide phase, it underwent multiple orientation changes. At an altitude of approximately 110 kilometers (68 miles), the rocket deployed its four grid fins to prepare for landing. Subsequently, two engines were reignited to facilitate the powered deceleration phase, followed by an aerodynamic deceleration phase reliant solely on the grid fins for slowing down.
During the final descent, three engines were reignited, allowing the rocket to maneuver toward the designated landing site. It hovered just above the ocean surface while ground teams tested a tether mechanism designed for recovery using a ground-based net system. The rocket ultimately splashed down in the ocean, where recovery crews successfully retrieved it.
Zhu Pingping of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) emphasized that this successful test brings China closer to its goal of landing astronauts on the Moon by 2030. The country also envisions sending crews to deeper space destinations, including Mars. In addition to lunar missions, China plans to expand its Tiangong space station and conduct robotic missions aimed at exploring a Near Earth Asteroid (NEA) and a Main Belt comet, as well as the Mars Sample Return missions known as Tianwen-2 and Tianwen-3.
These developments signify China’s growing role in the global space arena and its commitment to advancing human space exploration.
