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February 11th, 2026
Image credit: CMSE
China’s Long March 10 booster successfully conducted on February 11 a low-altitude demonstration and verification flight, a test that included an uncrewed Mengzhou spacecraft using its abort escape flight system.
Image credit: CMSE
The China Manned Space Engineering (CMSE) website noted that the February 11 test follows (1) the tethered ignition of the Long March-10 carrier rocket, (2) the zero-altitude escape flight of the Mengzhou piloted spacecraft, and (3) the comprehensive verification of the country’s lunar lander craft’s landing and takeoff on the Moon.
Image credit: CCTV/CMSA
This test marked the first ignition flight of the Long March 10 carrier rocket in its prototype state, the CMSE stated. The rocket’s first stage and the spacecraft’s return capsule safely splashed down in the designated sea area.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
This flight test was performed at a newly built launch pad at the Wenchang Space Launch Site.
The rocket’s first stage and the spacecraft’s return capsule then splashed down separately in their designated sea areas, as planned.
Image credit: AsiaToday/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
CMSE added that the developmental flight test marked a significant breakthrough in China’s plans for its human Moon exploration program.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
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Posted in Space News
