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.
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The reusable 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 China’s northwest.
China launches Shenzhou-22 for first emergency mission
China launches Shenzhou-22 for first emergency mission
China’s commercial and state-owned space developers have been racing to launch and recover the country’s first reusable rocket – a feat first achieved a decade ago by Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
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