China now looks a little more like SpaceX, since for the first time it has managed to recycle the first stage of a rocket after separating from the second, which was able to place its payload in low Earth orbit without problem. This is something that for a long time only Elon Musk’s company had achieved. Later, Blue Origin also joined the list. Some companies, such as Rocket Lab, have done something similar, although the recovery has been a ditching directly into the ocean, with the help of a parachute. China, on the other hand, has done the same as SpaceX. After completing its task, the first stage of the Chinese rocket has returned to Earth and landed vertically. Of course, it was not done at the launch base itself, but on a ship at sea.
As usual, in retrospect. We are more than used to learning about China’s great space achievements once they have already been committed. There are usually no prior announcements, no televised launches or a countdown. There was some evidence that China intended to make a recovery of this type, but we did not know its successful completion until it had already ended. The person in charge of announcing it was the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), a state company that is the main contractor for this country’s space operations.
Only 6 minutes. The launch of the Long March-10B took place on July 10 at 12:15 pm Beijing time, from the Hainan Commercial Launch Center. The first and second stages of the rocket separated, leaving the first ready to return to Earth. 6 minutes later, the landing occurred on a maritime platform, using a net capture system. This means that, instead of landing directly on its own legs, the rocket is caught by a huge net, which cushions the fall and helps it land on the landing pad.
The first steps of Japan. Curiously, another Asian country has recently taken its first steps towards the use of reusable rockets. This is Japan, since its space agency, JAXA, has successfully completed tests of the RV-X rocket. Of course, it is important to emphasize that it has only been a test. The rocket rose 11 meters, moved 16 meters horizontally and finally landed, all in a period of 40 seconds. No payload was carried, as it did not even go into low Earth orbit. In addition, it is a small vehicle, designed to validate rocket reuse technology, it is not the final model, as is the case with the Chinese rocket.
One less Chinese rocket wandering through space. Many experts are concerned about the amount of junk China is releasing into space. The ability to reuse rockets will not only be advantageous to them economically. It would also reduce the amount of space debris associated with its activity. It’s something they know a lot about at SpaceX. The company has received a lot of criticism for its contribution to both light pollution and the release of space debris. Elon Musk’s ambitious plans to expand the Starlink fleet require many launches, hence a lot of importance is placed on rocket reuse.
With Falcon 9 it is more than implemented and the goal is to do it with Starship as well. This does not solve the problem of light pollution, but it is a kind of spacewashing regarding space debris. Perhaps China’s path will also go that way. Of course, their activity in space is becoming more and more abundant. These types of initiatives are key to continuing to increase the pace.
Image | 中国新闻社 (not the news rocket)
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