China joins US in reusable orbital rocket capability

AI Summary

China has become the second country after the United States to successfully recover a reusable orbital rocket booster stage at sea, employing a novel technique different from that of SpaceX. The Long March-10B rocket's booster was captured using its engines to land on a floating platform, highlighting China's advancement in space technology.

China has become just the second country after the United States to achieve the controlled recovery of a reusable orbital space rocket. Friday’s successful capture at sea of the booster stage of a Long March-10B rocket after its maiden launch used a novel technique different from that of Elon Musk’s recently listed SpaceX and previous Chinese attempts. Instead of landing using extendable hydraulic legs, the rocket stage used its engines to position itself over a floating platform in the South...