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China successfully lands reusable rocket for the first time
🇸🇬 Singapore /Technology

China successfully lands reusable rocket for the first time

From CNA · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Outcome reported
  • China successfully landed a reusable rocket's first stage for the first time on Friday, a significant advancement in its space technology.
  • The Long March-10B rocket utilized a novel net-capture system for at-sea recovery, differentiating it from US reusable rocket designs.
  • This achievement positions China to potentially challenge US dominance in reusable rocket technology and reduce future launch costs.

China achieved a major milestone in its space ambitions Friday, successfully landing a reusable rocket's first stage for the first time. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) hailed the event as a "major breakthrough in Chinese reusable rocket technology," marking a significant step toward reducing launch costs and potentially challenging U.S. dominance in the field.

The China National Space Administration (CNSA) hailed the landing as a "major breakthrough in Chinese reusable rocket technology."

— CNSADescribing the significance of the successful rocket landing.

The Long March-10B rocket launched from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan province, placing a satellite into orbit before its first stage was recovered. Unlike SpaceX's Falcon 9, which uses landing legs, China's rocket employed a unique "net-capture system" on a seaborne platform for its controlled recovery. This method is described by the CNSA as the world's first at-sea net-based recovery of a rocket.

This mission marks China's first successful controlled recovery of a carrier rocket's first stage, as well as the world's first at-sea net-based recovery of a rocket.

— CNSAHighlighting the novelty of the recovery method.

Technical experts highlight the advantages of this net-based system, noting its adaptability to landing requirements and its ability to simplify the rocket's structure. By eliminating the need for landing legs, the rocket's weight can be reduced, potentially increasing payload capacity and operational efficiency. This reusability is key to lowering the cost of future satellite and spacecraft launches.

The net-based recovery system offers unique advantages.

— Chen MuyeExplaining the benefits of the net-capture system.

The Long March-10 series is specifically intended for China's future crewed missions to the Moon. This successful recovery demonstrates China's growing capabilities in space exploration and its commitment to developing advanced, cost-effective launch systems. The achievement positions China as a formidable competitor in the global reusable rocket market, alongside established players like SpaceX and Blue Origin.

Compared with current mainstream recovery solutions, net-based recovery is more adaptable to the landing requirements of rockets.

— Chen MuyeFurther detailing the advantages of the net-based recovery.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNA. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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