US EditionPublished • loading... • Updated
China's Second Attempt at Completing a Reusable Rocket ...
China's Long March 12A failed to recover its booster in a second reusable rocket test as Beijing aims to match SpaceX's cost-saving launch technology.
- On Monday , Xinhua reported the Long March 12A rocket failed to recover its first-stage booster, but its second stage reached the planned orbit on the inaugural flight.
- China has in recent years launched dozens of rockets but has yet to complete a reusable booster recovery test, while SpaceX mastered reusability several years ago.
- Attempting to close the technology gap, Landspace, a startup with less than 2,000 staff, failed to stick the Zhuque-3 booster landing earlier this month.
- Reusability is crucial to lowering launch costs, which would make satellite deployment cheaper, but Beijing will not catch up to Starlink's scale without a Falcon 9–style reusable booster.
- The Long March 12A developer, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, employs more than 100,000 people and China continues major launches like the Long March-5 on December 20, 2025.
Insights by Ground AI
17 Articles
17 Articles
The first re-useable Chinese rocket Long March 12A was not successfully recovered during the inaugural flight, according to its developer, while Beijing authorities are trying to reduce the Chinese detail...
·Romania
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources17
Leaning Left3Leaning Right2Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 30%
C 50%
R 20%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
