China reports reusable rocket breakthrough as it vies to catch up with the US | CNN

China has successfully recovered the first stage of a carrier rocket during an orbital launch test, state media reported Friday – a breakthrough for the country as it vies to catch up with American rivals in reusable rocket technology. The Long March 10B rocket was launched from Hainan island in southern China on Friday. About six minutes after ⁠separation of its first and upper stage, the first-stage booster returned to a floating platform, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The booster can be seen smoking at the top as it lowers vertically onto the platform, video posted by a CCTV-affiliated social media account shows. The successful test puts China closer to matching the reusable rocket capabilities of American firms –– technology seen as key to both space exploration and travel, as well as to building out critical satellite infrastructure. “This mission … signifies a historic breakthrough in China’s reusable rocket technology and a solid foundation for accelerating the improvement of China’s space access capabilities,” the rocket-maker China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation said in a post to social media. The mission also succeeded in deploying a