China Validates Long March 10 Rocket and Mengzhou Capsule Safety in Lunar Mission Test

China conducted a significant technological demonstration on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, by simultaneously flight-testing its next-generation Long March 10 rocket and the uncrewed Mengzhou spacecraft. The launch originated from a newly constructed pad at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan Province, marking the first operation from this facility dedicated to crewed lunar missions. This integrated test aimed to verify critical functions necessary for future crewed expeditions to the Moon, an objective China maintains before the close of the decade, positioning it in direct technological competition with NASA's Artemis program.

The demonstration centered on a low-altitude verification flight of the Long March 10 core first stage alongside a crucial in-flight abort test for the Mengzhou vehicle at the point of maximum aerodynamic pressure, or Max-Q. The Long March 10 prototype lifted off at 11:00 a.m. Beijing Time. Shortly after liftoff, the Mengzhou spacecraft executed a successful emergency separation maneuver, pulling the return capsule away from the booster. This Max-Q escape test is a vital safety verification, ensuring astronaut survival during the ascent phase that involves maximum structural stress.

The Long March 10 single-core test vehicle also validated ascent and recovery phases planned for a reusable heavy-lift launch system. Following separation, the first stage performed a controlled reentry burn and a propulsive splashdown near the maritime recovery ship, Ling Hang Zhe. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) described this procedure as a significant advancement in reusable rocket technology. Concurrently, the Mengzhou return capsule, intended to succeed the Shenzhou series for both low-Earth orbit and deep space tasks, deployed its parachutes and achieved a safe splashdown in the South China Sea at 12:20 p.m.

This event represented China's first at-sea search and recovery mission for a crewed spacecraft capsule, gathering essential operational experience for deep-space return procedures. The Mengzhou capsule is specifically designed for multiple reuses, supporting broader goals for sustainable space operations. The complex test involved several firsts: the initial flight of the Long March-10 prototype, the first Max-Q abort flight for a crewed spacecraft, and the first maritime splashdown recovery for both a capsule and a rocket stage. The Long March 10, standing approximately 92.5 meters tall in its standard configuration, is engineered to deliver 70 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

The successful verification of these functions, confirmed by the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO), clears the path for subsequent 2026 milestones, potentially including a full orbital test of the Long March 10A variant, possibly involving the Tiangong space station. The execution of this integrated test underscores the methodical development of China's crewed space program within the geopolitical context of establishing a sustained presence on the Moon.