China recovers reusable rocket used in the maiden launch of Long March 10B
China successfully recovered the first stage of its Long March-10B reusable rocket using a unique sea-based net-capture system. This milestone marks China's advancement in commercial space flight and aims to reduce launch costs.
Why it matters
This achievement signals China's growing capability to compete with SpaceX in the reusable rocket market, potentially accelerating the global space race.
China on Friday became only the second nation in history to achieve the controlled recovery of an orbital-class rocket booster, after successfully retrieving part of its Long March-10B reusable rocket during its maiden launch.
Unlike the methods pioneered by Elon Musk’s US-based SpaceX, the Chinese rocket achieved the first-ever use of a unique sea-based net-capture system for a more adaptable recovery.
The Chinese rocket also offers a new reusable path to space flight, as Beijing doubles down on strengthening its commercial space sector amid an intensifying global race to the moon.
The 63-metre (207-foot) tall, 5-metre wide medium-lift rocket lifted off from the Wenchang space launch site in southern China at 12.15pm on Friday, sending its satellite payload into a predetermined orbit, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in