China achieves first controlled recovery of Long March-10B rocket booster

China has successfully launched the Long March-10B carrier rocket and completed the country's first controlled recovery of a rocket first stage, marking a major step forward in its reusable space technology program.

The rocket lifted off on July 10 from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan Province and delivered its payload into a planned orbit during its maiden flight, Caliber.Az reports per Chinese media.

Following the separation of the first and second stages, the rocket’s first stage returned to Earth and was successfully captured on a sea-based platform using a net-capture recovery system, according to Chinese authorities.

The mission represents China’s first successful attempt at a controlled recovery of a carrier rocket first stage and is considered a significant milestone in the development of reusable launch vehicles.

The technology is aimed at improving launch efficiency and reducing costs by allowing key rocket components to be recovered and potentially reused in future missions.

By Sabina Mammadli