In a surprise launch, China debuts another big rocket designed for reusability
Summary
China launched the Long March 12B rocket, its largest potentially reusable rocket so far, without prior public announcement. China is competing to develop reusable rockets, with several state-owned and private companies trying to land and reuse rocket parts for space launches.Key Facts
- China’s Long March 12B rocket launched recently from the Gobi Desert at 4:40 pm Beijing time.
- The rocket is 236 feet (72 meters) tall and designed for future reuse, with grid fins and landing legs.
- China did not announce this launch beforehand, which is unusual for space missions worldwide.
- Earlier attempts to recover reusable rockets in China by both private and state companies failed in December.
- China has multiple companies, state-owned and private, working on reusable rocket technology.
- The Long March 12B was developed in just 21 months by China Commercial Rocket Co. Ltd., part of the state aerospace sector.
- The launch did not include a booster landing attempt but sets up future recovery tests.
- Russia and China have changed their launch notification practices for security reasons.
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