Beijing —
China has successfully recovered the first stage of a carrier rocket during an orbital launch test, state media reported Friday – a landmark first for the country as vies to catch up with American rivals in reusable rocket technology.
The Long March 10B rocket was launched from a site on Hainan island in southern China on Friday. About six minutes after separation of its booster and upper stage, the booster returned to a floating platform, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
The booster can be seen smoking at the top as it lowers vertically into the platform, a video posted by a CCTV-affiliated social media account shows.
The successful test puts China closer to matching the reusable rocket capabilities of American firms –– technology seen as key to both space exploration and travel, as well as to building out critical satellite infrastructure.
