Today in News History
On July 13, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 716, Rui Zong, Chinese emperor (born 662) passed away. In 884, Huang Chao, Chinese rebel leader (born 835) passed away. In 1402, Nanjing surrenders to Zhu Di without a fight, ending the Jingnan campaign. The Jianwen Emperor disappears and his family is incarcerated. In 1919, Hau Pei-tsun, 13th Premier of the Republic of China (died 2020) was born. In 1925, Huang Zongying, Chinese actress and writer (died 2020) was born. In 1934, Aleksei Yeliseyev, Russian engineer and astronaut was born. In 1970, Sheng Shicai, Chinese warlord (born 1895) passed away. In 1983, Liu Xiang, Chinese hurdler was born. In 1995, Space Shuttle Discovery is launched on STS-70 to deploy the TDRS-7 satellite. In 2024, Thomas Matthew Crooks, American student, known for attempting to assassinate former US President Donald Trump (born 2003) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.
China Just Caught a Rocket Booster for the First Time, Taking Aim at SpaceX

China is catching up to the U.S. in virtually every domain, spaceflight included.
Narrative Intelligence Brief
This article was published by Gizmodo, a source frequently categorized with a left bias based in United States of America. Our narrative intelligence engine continuously monitors coverage from this outlet to track framing, bias, and rhetorical patterns. Our initial algorithmic scan of this specific piece did not flag high-confidence rhetorical techniques, suggesting a generally straightforward reporting style or neutral framing. By understanding the editorial perspective of Gizmodo, readers can better contextualize the information presented and compare it across our broader media matrix to find the real narrative.
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Analysis Methodology
This narrative analysis was generated using the CoDataLab Global Intelligence Engine. Our proprietary AI scans thousands of cross-border sources to identify sentiment patterns, framing techniques, and potential media bias. While AI provides the data-driven foundation, our objective is to empower readers with additional context beyond the standard headline.The content displayed above is a structured summary designed for rapid information processing. For the full original report, please visit the source outlet.More Coverage
Discussion
How other outlets are covering this story
Compare narratives across 41 related reports from 41 sources. Real Narrative News aggregates the coverage spectrum so you can see who emphasises what — bias tags reflect the outlet, not the story.
Coverage bias distribution
41 sources
Left 22%
Center 27%
Right 34%
Futurism
· Jul 10, 2026
China Is Catching Up With SpaceX Fast, Landing First Reusable Rocket Booster on Offshore Platform
It just had a historic breakthrough. The post China Is Catching Up With SpaceX Fast, Landing First Reusable Rocket Booster on Offshore Platform appeared first on Futurism.
South China Morning Post
· Jul 13, 2026
China joins US in reusable orbital rocket capability
China has become just the second country after the United States to achieve the controlled recovery of a reusable orbital space rocket. Friday’s successful capture at sea of the booster stage of a Long March-10B rocket after its maiden launch used a novel technique different from that of Elon Musk’s recently listed SpaceX and previous Chinese attempts. Instead of landing using extendable hydraulic legs, the rocket stage used its engines to position itself over a floating platform in the South...
Mashable
· Jul 10, 2026
Watch China catch its first rocket booster — in a net
China lands its first Long March-10B rocket booster, advancing reusable launch tech and intensifying the U.S.–China space race.
The Wall Street Journal - Business
· Jul 10, 2026
China Successfully Launches Reusable Rocket in a Win for Space Program
China launched and partially recovered a rocket, a milestone for Beijing’s space program as it competes with the U.S. and Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
Scientific American
· Jul 10, 2026
China’s Long March 10B rocket successfully launches—and lands—in a global spaceflight milestone
The inaugural launch and first-stage booster recovery of China’s Long March 10B rocket intensifies the nation’s spaceflight rivalry with the U.S.
Sky News Australia
· Jul 11, 2026
China reports reusable rocket breakthrough as it races to catch up with the US
China has successfully tested a rocket retrieval system, marking the first time the country has recovered a booster. The trial involved a Long March 10B rocket, with the booster returning upright to a net and landing platform six minutes after launch. The technology is part of China’s push to compete with the US in reusable rockets and could significantly cut the cost of space travel.
Engadget
· Jul 10, 2026
China becomes the second country to recover a rocket booster
China made a breakthrough in its space program with the successful capture of a Long March 10B rocket booster.
PravdaReport
· Jul 10, 2026
China Achieves Historic Rocket Breakthrough With First Successful Booster Recovery
China has reached a major milestone in its space program by successfully carrying out the country's first controlled recovery of the first stage of a Long March-10B launch vehicle. The achievement represents an important advance in China's efforts to develop reusable rocket technology. Long March-10B Completes Successful Maiden Flight The Long March-10B lifted off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan Province, southern China, on its maiden flight. During the mission, the rocket successfully delivered its payload into the planned orbit, meeting all primary launch objectives.
Digital Trends
· Jul 11, 2026
China’s answer to SpaceX’s reusable rockets literally catches boosters in a net
China became the only other entity to recover an orbital rocket booster, but used a cable net on a ship instead of landing legs.
CNN
· Jul 10, 2026
China successfully tests reusable rocket
China has successfully recovered the first stage of a carrier rocket during an orbital launch test, state media reported Friday. The Long March 10B rocket was launched from Hainan island in southern China. About six minutes after separation of its first and upper stage, the first-stage booster returned to a floating platform, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Latestly.com
· Jul 6, 2026
China Launches Long-Range Ballistic Missile From Nuclear Submarine in Pacific, Sparks Regional Concerns
China's military test-launched a long-range ballistic missile Monday from one of its nuclear-powered submarines in the South Pacific in a rare move that drew protest and concerns from countries in the region. The missile was launched at 12:01 p.m. and carried a dummy warhead, according the official Xinhua News Agency.
The Eastern Herald
· Jul 10, 2026
China Recovers Long March 10B Booster, Becoming Second Nation to Catch a Falling Rocket
China recovered the Long March 10B rocket booster after its maiden launch, making it only the second country after the United States to demonstrate propulsive recovery of an orbital-class vehicle. The milestone accelerates the global reusable rocket race.
Off The Press
· Jul 6, 2026
China test-launches ballistic missile in South Pacific, draws regional protests
China’s military test-launched a long-range ballistic missile Monday from one of its nuclear-powered submarines in the South Pacific, drawing protest and concern from countries in the region. The missile was launched at 12:01 p.m. and carried a dummy warhead, according the official Xinhua News Agency. China last conducted a missile test in the Pacific two []...Click to read more
Hi China
· Jul 10, 2026
China achieves first-ever controlled rocket recovery in Long March-10B maiden flight
China successfully launched the Long March-10B carrier rocket at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province on Friday, achieving its first-ever controlled recovery of a carrier rocket's first stage. #Trending #SpaceChina
Euronews
· Jul 10, 2026
China achieves first-ever controlled rocket booster recovery
China successfully recaptured the first stage of a rocket after a launch on Friday in a breakthrough for the country's space program, state media said. The first stage of a Long March-10B rocket separated from the second stage after liftoff and returned to a platform in the sea.
The Next Web
· Jul 10, 2026
China just caught a rocket in a net, and SpaceX should be watching
SpaceX lands its rockets on legs. Blue Origin uses a platform. China just caught one in a giant net. China has recovered the first stage of an orbital rocket for the first time. The milestone pulls it into a club with only two other members. On Friday, the booster of a Long March-10B lifted off [] This story continues at The Next Web
TechCrunch
· Jul 10, 2026
China is catching up to Elon Musk’s reusable rockets
China's state-owned space company recovered its first orbital rocket booster after launch.
Iran Herald
· Jul 7, 2026
China conducts rare submarine-launched ballistic missile test
Beijing said the move was not aimed at any particular country, dismissing accusations of escalation A Chinese nuclear submarine launched a long-range ballistic missile with a dummy warhead into the Pacific Ocean on Monday, marking the first such test since 2024. This test launch is
Modern Diplomacy
· Jul 10, 2026
China successfully tests sea-based rocket booster recovery system
China has successfully tested a sea-based rocket booster recovery system for the first time, marking a major milestone in its efforts to develop reusable launch vehicles and narrow the gap with U.S. space companies led by SpaceX. The experimental recovery, carried out on Friday using a net mounted on an offshore platform, is China’s first [] The post China successfully tests sea-based rocket booster recovery system appeared first on Modern Diplomacy.
Legal Insurrection
· Jun 28, 2026
China’s Spent Rockets Are Turning Low Earth Orbit Into a Debris Minefield
Meanwhile, China's top-secret 'dragon' space plane just released another unidentified object over Earth. The post China’s Spent Rockets Are Turning Low Earth Orbit Into a Debris Minefield first appeared on Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion.
Washington Examiner
· Jul 9, 2026
China’s missile warning demands a stronger defense budget
China’s navy this week test-fired a long-range ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the South Pacific, alarming U.S. allies across the region. The launch, China’s second major open-ocean ballistic missile test in less than two years, was described by U.S. officials as a “great concern to the region and the world.” But our nation’s []
DNyuz
· Jul 10, 2026
A Picture-Perfect Landing Shows China’s Ambitions to Narrow the Space Race
On Friday, the bottom part of a rocket that had been launched just minutes earlier descended toward what looked like a stubby drilling derrick floating in the South China Sea. As the rocket stage, known as a booster, slowed almost to a stop and precisely maneuvered into the center of the structure, a grid of []
BRICS News
· Jul 6, 2026
[Photo] JUST IN: 🇨🇳 China launches ballistic missile from nuclear-powered submarine during mil [...]
JUST IN: China launches ballistic missile from nuclear-powered submarine during military test.@BRICSNews
Sweden Herald
· Jul 10, 2026
China captures rocket booster in sea recovery breakthrough, challenging US space rivals
China captures rocket booster in sea recovery breakthrough, challenging US space rivals
Business Today
· Jul 10, 2026
SpaceX no longer a global leader: China's Long March 10B challenges Elon Musk's reusable rocket dominance
The achievement marks China's first successful recovery of an orbital-class reusable rocket booster and signals that Beijing is rapidly advancing technologies considered essential for the next era of affordable spaceflight.
Sputnik
· Jul 10, 2026
China Achieves First Controlled Recovery of Rocket Booster - Space Agency
BEIJING (Sputnik) - China successfully launched the Changzheng-10B (Long March-10B) carrier rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Site on Hainan Island on Friday, marking the first controlled recovery of a rocket booster on a marine platform, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) has said.
Ars Technica
· Jun 26, 2026
Rocket Report: China may soon attempt booster landing; Rocket Lab does rapid response
Is SpaceX planning to end its Transporter program?
UPI
· Jul 10, 2026
Watch: China recaptures Long March-10B reusable rocket for first time in its history
Watch: China recaptures Long March-10B reusable rocket for first time in its history
Al Arabiya English
· Jul 6, 2026
Russia Defends China s Pacific Missile Test
Russia defends China’s test-firing of a “strategic missile” carrying a dummy warhead into the Pacific Ocean, a move criticized by several countries in the region. #Russia #China
Tampa Free Press
· Jul 7, 2026
Pacific Flashpoint: China’s Deep-Ocean Missile Test Triggers Global Backlash
A Chinese submarine test-fired an unarmed, long-range ballistic missile carrying a dummy warhead into the southern Pacific Ocean on Monday, sparking immediate and widespread condemnation from the United States and several Pacific nations. The United States military tracked the launch of the intercontinental-range weapon, which comes amid heightened international scrutiny over Beijing’s expanding military capabilities. [] Pacific Flashpoint: China’s Deep-Ocean Missile Test Triggers Global Backlash
Al Jazeera English
· Jul 10, 2026
China successfully launches first-ever reusable rocket | #AJ shorts
China has successfully tested a sea-based rocket booster recovery system, a breakthrough for the country’s space programme that could help Beijing challenge US dominance in reusable rocket technology led by SpaceX and Blue Origin. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile
KSAT San Antonio
· Jul 10, 2026
China takes a page from SpaceX and recaptures the first stage of a rocket to reuse it
China has successfully recaptured the first stage of a rocket after a launch, marking a breakthrough for its space program.
TRT World
· Jul 10, 2026
China’s first reusable rocket successfully recovered
China achieved a historic milestone on July 10 with the maiden launch of the Long March-10B, its first reusable carrier rocket. The first stage was successfully recovered using a net-capture system on a sea platform after the rocket successfully delivered its payload into orbit, marking China’s first controlled recovery of a carrier rocket’s first stage.
Hindustan Times
· Jul 10, 2026
Over a decade after SpaceX, China successfully lands rocket booster with hooks & a net. How different is the tech?
With the Long March 10B launch, China is now the second nation after the US with reusable rocket booster technology.
The Tribune
· Jul 11, 2026
Japan conducts 1st test flight for experimental reusable rocket
Japan’s experimental reusable rocket took off and safely landed in a first test flight Saturday, as the country seeks to achieve the technology key to cut launch costs and compete in the global space market dominated by SpaceX. The RV-X rocket lifted off, hovered and moved horizontally before landing during its less than one-minute flight []
DawnNews English
· Jul 10, 2026
China Successfully Tests Sea-Based Rocket Booster Recovery System | Dawn News English
China on Friday successfully tested an experimental rocket retrieval system using a net attached to a sea platform, state media reported, in the hopes of breaking US dominance in reusable rockets. #china #rocket #rocketboosterrecoverysystem #tests ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dawn News English is your window into the latest news, insight, and features from South Asia and beyond. Website: www.dawn.com Official Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/dawnnewsenglish Official Twitter: https://x.com/dawnnewsenglish Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawnnewsenglish #news #latestnews #dawnnewsenglish #dawnnews
The Japan Times
· Jul 10, 2026
China successfully tests sea-based rocket booster recovery system
The test marks China's first successful retrieval of an orbital-class rocket, as Beijing hopes to break U.S. dominance in the reusable technology.
NaturalNews.com
· Jun 27, 2026
China’s Shenlong Space Plane Releases Unidentified Object in Orbit
(NaturalNews) China's reusable space plane, Shenlong, released multiple objects into orbit during its latest mission, according to tracking data reported by amateur...
The Register
· Jun 23, 2026
Space Force goes to (pretend) orbital war following record-fast Rocket Lab launch
Less than 17 hours after receiving orders, Rocket Lab put Pioneer in orbit for close-range maneuvers with True Anomaly's Jackal satellite
Defence Blog
· Jul 8, 2026
U.S. Space Force adds two startups to its $5.6B launch program
The U.S. Space Force just handed two young rocket companies a shot at billions of dollars in Pentagon launch business, expanding the exclusive club of firms trusted to carry America’s most sensitive satellites into orbit. Impulse Space and Relativity Federal joined a 5.6 billion contract vehicle called National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 []
ABC News
· Jul 6, 2026
China test-launches ballistic missile from submarine in the Pacific
State media say China’s military test-launched a ballistic missile Monday from a submarine in the Pacific
Topics:
Related coverage for "China Just Caught a Rocket Booster for the First Time, Taking Aim at SpaceX": Futurism — China Is Catching Up With SpaceX Fast, Landing First Reusable Rocket Booster on Offshore Platform. South China Morning Post — China joins US in reusable orbital rocket capability. Mashable — Watch China catch its first rocket booster — in a net. The Wall Street Journal - Business — China Successfully Launches Reusable Rocket in a Win for Space Program. Scientific American — China’s Long March 10B rocket successfully launches—and lands—in a global spaceflight milestone. Sky News Australia — China reports reusable rocket breakthrough as it races to catch up with the US. Engadget — China becomes the second country to recover a rocket booster. PravdaReport — China Achieves Historic Rocket Breakthrough With First Successful Booster Recovery. Digital Trends — China’s answer to SpaceX’s reusable rockets literally catches boosters in a net. CNN — China successfully tests reusable rocket. Latestly.com — China Launches Long-Range Ballistic Missile From Nuclear Submarine in Pacific, Sparks Regional Concerns. The Eastern Herald — China Recovers Long March 10B Booster, Becoming Second Nation to Catch a Falling Rocket. Off The Press — China test-launches ballistic missile in South Pacific, draws regional protests. Hi China — China achieves first-ever controlled rocket recovery in Long March-10B maiden flight. Euronews — China achieves first-ever controlled rocket booster recovery. The Next Web — China just caught a rocket in a net, and SpaceX should be watching. TechCrunch — China is catching up to Elon Musk’s reusable rockets. Iran Herald — China conducts rare submarine-launched ballistic missile test . Modern Diplomacy — China successfully tests sea-based rocket booster recovery system. Legal Insurrection — China’s Spent Rockets Are Turning Low Earth Orbit Into a Debris Minefield. Washington Examiner — China’s missile warning demands a stronger defense budget. DNyuz — A Picture-Perfect Landing Shows China’s Ambitions to Narrow the Space Race. BRICS News — [Photo] JUST IN: 🇨🇳 China launches ballistic missile from nuclear-powered submarine during mil [...]. Sweden Herald — China captures rocket booster in sea recovery breakthrough, challenging US space rivals. Business Today — SpaceX no longer a global leader: China's Long March 10B challenges Elon Musk's reusable rocket dominance. Sputnik — China Achieves First Controlled Recovery of Rocket Booster - Space Agency. Ars Technica — Rocket Report: China may soon attempt booster landing; Rocket Lab does rapid response. UPI — Watch: China recaptures Long March-10B reusable rocket for first time in its history. Al Arabiya English — Russia Defends China s Pacific Missile Test. Tampa Free Press — Pacific Flashpoint: China’s Deep-Ocean Missile Test Triggers Global Backlash. Al Jazeera English — China successfully launches first-ever reusable rocket | #AJ shorts. KSAT San Antonio — China takes a page from SpaceX and recaptures the first stage of a rocket to reuse it. TRT World — China’s first reusable rocket successfully recovered. Hindustan Times — Over a decade after SpaceX, China successfully lands rocket booster with hooks & a net. How different is the tech?. The Tribune — Japan conducts 1st test flight for experimental reusable rocket. DawnNews English — China Successfully Tests Sea-Based Rocket Booster Recovery System | Dawn News English. The Japan Times — China successfully tests sea-based rocket booster recovery system . NaturalNews.com — China’s Shenlong Space Plane Releases Unidentified Object in Orbit. The Register — Space Force goes to (pretend) orbital war following record-fast Rocket Lab launch. Defence Blog — U.S. Space Force adds two startups to its $5.6B launch program. ABC News — China test-launches ballistic missile from submarine in the Pacific


