China successfully retrieved the booster of its Long March 10B rocket on Friday, marking a significant milestone in the development of reusable rocket technology. The launch took place at the Hainan commercial space launch site in southern China, with the rocket lifting off at 12:15 p.m. and deploying a satellite into orbit, according to state media.
Details of the Long March 10B Flight
Approximately six minutes after liftoff, the booster separated from the rocket's upper stage and began its descent toward an offshore recovery platform. Unlike US companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin, which utilize autonomous landing systems, the Long March 10B employs a net capture method. This system uses four hooks to catch a net suspended above the sea platform.
Expert Chen Muye from the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology stated, "This approach simplifies the rocket's onboard structure, reduces its weight, and could increase payload capacity." He also emphasized that the net capture system is highly adaptable to landing-point deviations, effectively expanding the capture window.
China's Plans for Reusable Rockets
China has invested nearly a decade into developing reusable rocket technology, aiming to reduce launch costs and enhance its rapidly growing commercial satellite networks. Previous attempts by private firm LandSpace and the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation to recover rockets failed during the final landing stage last year.
