The Rockets’ “cost centerpiece” was saved by a single net
On July 10, 2026, the Long March 10B carrier rocket was successfully launched, with the first sub-stage firmly “encircled” by a flexible net on the offshore platform. The world’s first offshore network system recycling has been successful! China has become the second country in the world to master high-capacity reusable rocket technology.
(Image from Xinhua News Agency report)
Even more noteworthy is the economic record. The first substage accounts for about 60-70% of the rocket’s total cost. After large-scale reuse, the launch cost of low-Earth orbit satellites is expected to drop by 60% to 80%. The “economics” of commercial space truly took hold for the first time. But few people know that before the rocket was caught by that large net, its “heart” and “nerves” had undergone the kind of trials and ice tempering it had undergone in various test chambers.
Extreme Cold and Scorching: How Difficult Is Rocket Recovery? When the rocket’s first substage returns from high altitude, it must undergo intense aerodynamic heating and drastic temperature changes—any electronic component failing in extreme environments can cause the recovery to fail. How does this reliability come to be verified? environmental test equipment。 On the ground, the rocket’s precise inertial navigation devices and sensors need to be placed into the test chamber for repeated testing. Only those who can endure it are qualified to ascend to the heavens. Core test items include high and low temperature tests, alternating wet heat tests, temperature shock tests, low pressure tests, comprehensive temperature and humidity vibration tests, and long-term operational stability tests.
SCICOOLING: The “Reliability Partner” behind aerospace Who is carrying out this rigorous verification work? SCICOOLING, originating from the Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has been deeply involved in the field of environmental test equipment for 21+ years. Its core “Mixed Fluid Throttling Refrigeration Technology” won the National Technology Invention Second Prize. A single compressor can achieve efficient cooling at -190°C without liquid nitrogen, reaching an internationally leading level. Our products cover high and low temperature (damp heat) test chambers, impact test chambers, rotary table supporting incubators, altitude test chambers, combined environmental test chambers, ultra-low-temperature test chambers, and more, with multiple non-standard customizations to achieve import substitution.
In the aerospace and commercial space sectors, SCICOOLING’s test chambers have become a reliable partner for many companies. Among the clients are leading central enterprises such as China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation—many of which have continuously repurchased SCICOOLING test chambers for over 20 years; There are also private representative companies in the commercial aerospace sector, such as Galaxy Aerospace, Starry Sky Zhilian, Oriental Space Technology, Zero One Space, Beijing Xinleineng, Beidou Xingtong, and Huali Chuangtong. From satellite and rocket manufacturing, to launch services and ground equipment, and then to satellite applications and services—SCICOOLING’s test chamber operates quietly across the entire commercial aerospace industry chain.
Typical case: SCICOOLING & Aerospace
- A leading domestic satellite manufacturing enterprise (Location: Chengdu)
Ø Equipment Name: Walk-in Rapid Temperature Change Test Chamber
Ø Equipment Purpose: Testing communication satellite components and related components
Ø Product specifications: Inner box 3m³, heating rate ≥25°C/min (under load), temperature range -75°C~+150°C.
- A certain institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (coordinates – Beijing)
Ø Equipment Name: ultra-low-temperature test chamber
Ø Equipment Purpose: Used for ultra-low temperature atmospheric pressure testing in aerospace systems
Ø Main specifications: inner box 1m³, temperature range -170°C~+200°C, mechanical refrigeration -150°C, liquid nitrogen refrigeration -170°C; The two refrigeration systems can operate independently and complement each other; mechanical refrigeration can meet over 90% of test requirements, while liquid nitrogen refrigeration systems enable ultra-low temperature tests at lower temperatures and faster rates.
- A listed company in satellite navigation (coordinates – Beijing)
Ø Equipment Name: Complex Non-Standard Combined Environmental Test Chamber – Beijing
Ø Equipment Purpose: Used for temperature and humidity vibration testing of satellite navigation chips, modules, and other products.
Ø Main indicators: inner chamber volume 520L, temperature range -70°C~+150°C, temperature rate ≥10°C/min, humidity range, 10%~98% RH.
- A unicorn in rocket manufacturing (coordinates – Beijing)
Ø Product Name: High-Precision Temperature Test Chamber
Ø Equipment Purpose: Environmental adaptability testing of launch vehicle components and system products
Ø Main indicators: test space volume 100L~1000L, temperature range -75°C~+150°C, temperature change rate ≥2°C/min (loaded, average throughout the process)
- A research institute of China Aerospace Science and Technology (coordinates – Shanghai)
Ø Equipment Name: Temperature Test Chamber with Three-Axis Turntable
Ø Equipment Purpose: Used for testing space transport vehicles, spacecraft control systems, and inertial navigation products
Ø Main specifications: Inner box 200L, temperature range -60°C~+120°C, heating rate ≥ 5.0°C/min
Chasing Dreams in the Sky, Strengthening the Nation with Me The successful recovery of the Long March 10B is a historic breakthrough for China’s space program. But behind this breakthrough lies the support of an entire industrial chain. When that large net steadily catches the first sub-level at sea, behind it lies a “web of reliability” woven by countless Chinese tech companies.
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