China Conducts Second Reusable Rocket Launch

China has successfully launched its second reusable rocket in three weeks, marking a significant step in its space program. The Long March 12A rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Monday at 9:00 pm EST. The rocket reached low-Earth orbit successfully on its first flight.

The vehicle is roughly the same size as SpaceX's Falcon 9. Its methane-fueled first stage booster attempted to return to Earth but failed to complete a braking burn. The booster impacted the ground in a remote region about 200 miles downrange. Despite the landing failure, the launch laid an important foundation for subsequent launches and reliable recovery.

The first Long March 12A rocket successfully lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Monday. The launch occurred at 9:00 pm EST, which is 02:00 UTC on Tuesday. This mission represents a major milestone for the Chinese space program as it was the rocket's first flight.

The vehicle successfully soared into low-Earth orbit, defying the questionable odds that typically burden the debuts of new launch vehicles. The rocket is designed for reuse, similar to other modern launch vehicles currently in operation. This successful orbit insertion confirms the rocket's basic flight capabilities.

The Long March 12A is a new launch vehicle designed with reusability in mind. According to the mission details, the rocket is roughly the same height and diameter of SpaceX's workhorse Falcon 9. This comparison highlights the competitive nature of modern rocketry.

The rocket's first stage booster is powered by methane fuel. This fuel choice is becoming increasingly popular in the aerospace industry for its potential benefits in engine cleanliness and reusability. The booster was specifically designed to be recovered and reused for future missions.

Following stage separation, the Long March 12A's first stage booster began its descent back to Earth. Less than 10 minutes after liftoff, the methane-fueled booster hurtled through the atmosphere at supersonic speed. The plan was to land the booster at a prepared location near the edge of the Gobi Desert.

However, the booster failed to complete a braking burn required to slow down for a safe landing. As a result, the booster impacted the ground in a remote region approximately 200 miles downrange from the Jiuquan spaceport in northwestern China. While the landing was not successful, the flight data gathered is valuable for future attempts.

This launch marks the second time this month that China has successfully launched a reusable rocket design. The consistent testing schedule indicates a rapid development cycle for China's space capabilities. The ability to recover and reuse rocket stages is critical for reducing the cost of access to space.

Despite the failure of the braking burn, the mission is viewed as a step forward. The launch laid "an important foundation for subsequent launches and reliable recovery." Continued testing will likely focus on perfecting the landing sequence to achieve full reusability in the future.