Mengzhou Max-Q Abort Test & CZ-10 Low Altitude Test -WSLC- 11 Feb 2026 03:00 UTC

[TheKutKu]

I've decided to make a thread because of the importance of this flight, the potential for live coverage being at Wenchang and the precedent in other crewed programs.

On January 15th, 2026 a CZ-10 stage was brought to WSLC and erected on the LC-301 Mobile Launcher, closer inspection made it clear that it was the repurposed Static Fire Article as previously announced:
https://twitter.com/kelvin61942434/status/2011747566887776286

The upper section seems inert, but could carry recovery equipment (gridfins and hooks).

The two obvious candidates for this flight are the Low Altitude Flight and the Mengzhou Max Q Abort Test, both were initially announced for 2025 (1,2) There's also a possibility that both will be attempted at the same time.

Recent announcements include the disclosure of the Max Q abort test patch, an announcement of mobilization at CALT for a launch campaign and assembly of the recovery system on the LingHangZhe ship, and rumors of a test flight in Wenchang:
https://twitter.com/raz_liu/status/2009793506618093959
https://twitter.com/raz_liu/status/2010980085940306243

[TheKutKu]

Rumored to be NET February 10th - short window before the spring festival
https://twitter.com/raz_liu/status/2012088411918909690
Size comparison between the stage and a full scale CZ-10A

[TheKutKu]

NET Feb 11th now.

[TheKutKu]

NET Feb 11th now.

Formal reporting for this

Recently, a media account published an article titled "Wenchang Cancels All Rocket Launches in February! Only a New Model Test Flight Retained in February," mentioning that the January 27th and February 3rd launches at Wenchang were cancelled and postponed, with only a new model test flight retained in February. The article stated that the new rocket model would conduct a flight test on February 11th, 2026.

As of the afternoon of the 23rd, the latest information from the relevant accounts at the Wenchang Space Observation Center showed "Currently tentatively scheduled for the afternoon of February 3rd with the Long March 8A rocket," and no information regarding the cancellation or postponement of the February launches had been released.

A reporter from Xiaoxiang Morning Post contacted staff at the Wenchang Space Observation Center, who replied that currently "all have been cancelled," and "only the new rocket test flight on February 11th is scheduled."

https://finance.sina.cn/2026-01-23/detail-inhihsrt6468802.d.html?vt=4&cid=76729&node_id=76729

[TheKutKu]

A CMSA-operated amphibious capsule recovery vehicle was spotted which more or less confirms that this test will be the Mengzhou Max-Q Abort Test

Edit: https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5261615909834492
北京蓝龙 confirms Mengzhou IFA is still planned for this month

[mikezang]

I don't think this is a normal launch flight...

[TheKutKu]

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/ypUrpAn0kTTrCY9svnF3OQ

From 08:00 on February 3, 2026 to 24:00 on February 11, 2026, the airspace over the entire administrative area of ​​our city will be a temporary restricted airspace. Within the temporary restricted airspace of Longlou Town, Dongjiao Town, Wenjiao Town, and related sea areas (coordinates: E110.833° N19.496°, E111.153° N19.247°, E111.392° N19.523°, E111.072° N19.772°),

I don't think this is a normal launch flight...

Yes, although as I said it is customary to give IFA tests their threads.
Weirdly enough it seems CALT may also test the first stage recovery, that stage must be seriously overbuilt to survive an in flight abort at Max Q
https://twitter.com/raz_liu/status/2018274780269699114

Cleaned up patch source WLR2678

[TheKutKu]

The Linghanzhe/"Pathfinder" recovery ship has left Guangzhou for Hainan ahead of Mengzhou in Flight abort and likely the CZ-10A "Low Altitude Flight" Recovery test

Surprising, even if the first stage survives the separation of the Mengzhou capsule at >Mach 1, the return trajectory will be completely different from an operational flight.

[TheKutKu]

I'm unsure about the truthfulness of this patch, maybe they'll do a soft splashdown with a simulated catch nearby (like Starship flight 4)?

[TheKutKu]

Mengzhou is being stacked, no S2 or service module simulator
 http://xhslink.com/o/5ajpySrWKlP

[mikezang]

The NOTAM for this test launch.

[Alter Sachse]

[TheKutKu]

According to a NOTMAR and the current geolocation of the recovery barge, it would appear that the 1st stage will continue its ascent after the ejection of the capsule and will simulate a trajectory representative of an operational launch to orbit with recovery, the stage will have an apogee of >90km and will attempt a controlled splashdown 365km from the coast.

[TheKutKu]

Pictures salvatore on XHS

A representation of the Mengzhou abort test flight profile by Phileafspace:
https://weibo.com/tv/show/1034:5264831448547425?from=old_pc_videoshow
 A couple notes about the video:
The stage may possibly only use 5 engines given the lower mass
I'm not sure about the presence of a deployable nosecone below the capsule, I don't think there's been any hint of it
Also the reentry burn is wrong, it's 4 outer engine without inner one being restarted

[Phazzee]

About one hour ahead of the presumed opening of the window. Restreams of local views can be found here:

CASC and CMSA may announce the outcome a few hours after liftoff from LC-301. Success criteria has not been shared by either.

[TheKutKu]

Official streams:
https://weibo.com/l/wblive/p/show/1022:2321325265070203994201
https://weibo.com/l/wblive/p/show/1022:2321325265069301956912


Spacelens stream:https://live.bilibili.com/23118988

[sdsds]

Screengrab from the above-linked youtube restream.

[catdlr]

C.R.S.
@CReusability
Here's a bilibili stream of the same POV

https://live.bilibili.com/23118988/?live_from=86001&spm_id_from=333.1387.0.0

[sdsds]

Screengrab from bilibili link.

Are you covering this live, Tony?

[sdsds]

Ascent into cloud cover.