|
BEIJING (AP) — China successfully recaptured the first stage of
a rocket after a launch on Friday in a breakthrough for the
country's space program, state media said.
The first stage of a Long March-10B rocket separated from the
second stage after liftoff and returned to a platform in the
sea, the official Xinhua News Agency said.
It was the first time China recovered the first stage of a
rocket. America's SpaceX has been doing so for several years to
drive down launch costs by reusing the booster that helps lift
the satellites or whatever the rocket is carrying into space.
The Long March rocket was launched from China's Hainan Island, a
popular beach destination off the country's southern coast.
The rocket's reusable configuration can launch a payload of up
to 16,000 kilograms (35,275 pounds) into what is called low
Earth orbit, Xinhua said.
The maximum payload of the SpaceX Falcon 9 is 22,800 kilograms
(50,265 pounds), according to the SpaceX website. The Falcon
rockets transport astronauts and supplies to the International
Space Station.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved
|
|
