Second reusable rocket recovery failure in a month puts China 10 years behind US

Published 3 hours ago
Source: scmp.com
Second reusable rocket recovery failure in a month puts China 10 years behind US
The Long March 12A, China’s first state-owned reusable rocket, made its debut launch on Tuesday morning but the recovery of the first stage was a failure. It was China’s second failed bid this month to return an orbital-class booster to Earth, a feat that has so far only been achieved by the US. The second stage of the rocket entered its predetermined orbit after its launch at 10am, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua. The reusable rocket, designed by the Shanghai Academy of...