China Cancels Multiple Rocket Launches Amid Recent Failures, Long March-10A Test Flight Remains Scheduled

Widespread Cancellations at Wenchang Space Center

China has announced the cancellation of almost all rocket launches scheduled for February at the Wenchang space center in the southern province of Hainan. The decision, reported by the Xiaoxiang Morning Herald on Friday, January 24, 2026, comes amidst a series of recent setbacks in the nation's ambitious space program. While no official reason has been provided for the widespread cancellations, they follow at least two significant launch failures at other sites.

Despite the numerous cancellations, a single test flight for a new type of rocket on February 11 remains on the schedule at Wenchang. Speculation from local sources, including a hostel in the township of Longlou, suggests this upcoming launch could be related to the highly anticipated Long March-10A rocket.

Recent Failures Highlight Challenges

The cancellations at Wenchang follow a challenging period for China's space endeavors. Recently, a Long March-3B rocket, carrying the Shijian-32 satellite, experienced a launch failure. Hours later, a commercial launch vehicle, the Ceres-2 developed by Galactic Energy, also failed during a mission originating from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre.

These incidents add to earlier difficulties, such as the failed recovery attempt of the first stage of China's reusable Long March 12A rocket on December 23, 2025. This marked the second unsuccessful recovery attempt for an orbital booster in December alone.

Long March-10A: A Key to Lunar Ambitions

The potential February 11 test flight of the Long March-10A is of significant interest as it represents a crucial component of China's future manned lunar exploration missions. The Long March-10A is a new-generation manned launch vehicle, part of the broader Long March-10 series.

Key characteristics of the Long March-10A include:

• It is a two-stage reusable rocket, standing approximately 67 meters tall.
• Its first stage is specifically designed for recycling and reuse.
• The rocket is intended to launch the Mengzhou manned spacecraft and Tianzhou cargo craft to the Tiangong space station.
• Its maiden flight is projected to occur in 2026.

Development of the Long March-10 series has seen progress, with successful static fire tests conducted in August and September 2025. These tests verified the performance of the propulsion system and the rocket's recovery capabilities, laying important technical groundwork for future manned lunar missions.

Broader Context and Public Impact

The recent string of failures and subsequent cancellations occur within a broader context of China's rapidly expanding, yet sometimes challenging, space program. As of January 19, 2026, the Long March rocket family has accumulated 628 launches, with 11 failures and 9 partial failures recorded.

The cancellations have also had a tangible impact on local tourism in Hainan, where rocket launches have become a popular attraction. Internet users have expressed disappointment online after their plans to view the events were abruptly called off.