China recovered its first reusable rocket and showed a new way to do it
6 hours ago
- #reusable-rocket
- #China-space
- #spaceflight
- China's Long March 10B rocket successfully performed its maiden flight and recovered its reusable first-stage booster using a sea-based net system.
- The recovery marks China's first-ever controlled rocket landing, a major step toward reusable launch capabilities, making CASC and CALT the third entity to achieve this feat after SpaceX and Blue Origin.
- The rocket launched from Wenchang, deployed the CX-26 payload to orbit, and the booster was captured midair by tensioned cables on an offshore vessel.
- SpaceX and Blue Origin use propulsive landings for booster recovery, while SpaceX's Starship employs mechanical arms; China's method involves a net capture system.