China has taken a major step toward reusable spaceflight.
The country successfully launched its Long March-10B rocket and, for the first time ever, recovered its first-stage booster using a sea-based net-capture system. The breakthrough marks a significant milestone in China's reusable rocket programme and could help slash the cost of future satellite launches.
The Long March-10B is designed to carry up to 16 tonnes to low Earth orbit in reusable mode and will play a key role in deploying commercial satellites and internet constellations.
The successful mission also validated critical technologies including multiple engine restarts, high-precision navigation, methane propulsion and controlled booster recovery. China now plans to fly a reused first-stage booster before the end of the year.
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