China successfully recovered the first stage of a carrier rocket during an orbital launch test on Friday, a breakthrough that moves Beijing closer to American reusable rocket capabilities long dominated by SpaceX (NASDAQ:SPCX).
Long March 10B Reaches Orbit The Long March 10B rocket lifted off from Hainan island in southern China and deployed a satellite into orbit, according to state media.
About six minutes after the first stage separated from the upper stage, the booster returned to a floating sea platform, state broadcaster CCTV reported.
Video posted by a CCTV-affiliated social media account showed the booster smoking near the top as it descended vertically toward the platform.
Reuters reported that the recovery used a sea-based system with hooks and a net, rather than the landing legs used by SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
