China recovers reusable rocket used in the maiden launch of Long March 10B
Soon after launch, the first stage of the rocket returned vertically and was recovered via a sea platform: state media
China succeeded in recovering part of its Long March 10B reusable rocket on its maiden launch on Friday, marking the country’s first controlled orbital-class booster recovery and making it only the second nation in the world to achieve the feat.
The 70-metre (230-foot) tall, 5-metre wide medium-lift rocket lifted off from southern China’s Wenchang space launch site at 12.15pm.
About six minutes after the first and second stages of the rocket separated, the first stage returned vertically and was recovered via a sea platform, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
The maiden flight validated the rocket’s design for first-stage reusability and was expected to help cut launch costs, CCTV said.
The two-stage Long March 10B’s first stage is powered by seven YF-100K engines that burn kerosene and liquid oxygen. The rocket can deliver up to 16 tonnes to low Earth orbit and is mainly designed for cargo missions.