On July 10, 2026, China successfully launched a payload to orbit and recovered the first stage booster of its Long March 10B rocket system, making China only the second nation after the US to do so. Both the Long March 10B and the Falcon 9 use kerosene and LOX (liquid oxygen) fueled engines — though each system uses different types of engines. The Long March 10B has 7 engines, while Falcon 9 has 9. Attempts to undermine China’s success in terms of space launches have been continuous and had already targeted the first Long March 10B launch this year back in February. All factors being equal, China’s surpassing the US in terms of space launch capabilities and cadence is inevitable.