China leaps ahead with reusable rocket booster, India’s NGLV years away
China has successfully demonstrated the recovery of an orbital-class rocket booster, marking a significant step in its reusable launch vehicle program. Meanwhile, India's ISRO continues development of its own Next Generation Launch Vehicle, which remains several years away from a demonstration flight.
Why it matters
Reusable rocket technology is critical for reducing the cost of space access and maintaining competitiveness in the growing global commercial and lunar space sectors.
BENGALURU: China Friday demonstrated recovery of an orbital-class rocket booster, joining a small group of space players pursuing reusable launch systems. For India, the milestone comes as Isro’s reusable Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) still remains years away from a demonstration flight.China demonstrated the technology by recovering the first-stage booster of its Long March-10B after a vertical powered descent — carried out off the coast of Hainan. Quoting the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), Chinese state media said the stage is expected to fly again later this year, marking the country’s most advanced demonstration of reusable launch technology so far.The achievement narrows, though does not eliminate, the gap with global leaders. SpaceX remains the benchmark, having routinely recovered and reflown Falcon-9 boosters for nearly a decade, fundamentally changing launch economics. Blue Origin is also working on a reusable first stage of its heavy-lift New Glenn rocket.
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