China's reusable rocket ambitions suffered another setback with the failure to recover an orbital-class booster. This marks the second failed attempt this month. The rocket, designed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China.
Chinese commercial and state-owned space developers are racing to achieve an orbital-class reusable booster to match the US, a feat so far only accomplished by America.
The failed rocket was designed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in China's northwest. It represents China's second failed bid this month to return an orbital-class booster.
China's developers have been striving to launch and recover the country's first reusable rocket. Reusable rocket technology will enable more frequent, lower-cost launches and support major space projects, including China's planned internet satellite constellations.
Keywords from the report include: New Glenn, Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, Guowang, Blue Origin, Washington, LandSpace, Qianfan, Starlink, China Daily, China, Beijing, SpaceX, United States, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, Long March 12A, Space Pioneer, Falcon 9, CZ-12A, Tianlong-3.
This setback underscores the challenges China faces in catching up to US firms like SpaceX, which has successfully recovered Falcon 9 boosters multiple times.
