🚀 China's space game just leveled up! On June 23, at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, a reusable rocket pulled off an epic feat: its first vertical takeoff and landing test at an altitude of 10 kilometers! 🌌
Picture this: Around 1 p.m., the sleek rocket, developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), stood tall on the launch pad. With its 3.8-meter diameter, it looked ready to pierce the skies. Powered by three cutting-edge variable-thrust liquid oxygen-methane engines (because who needs regular fuel? 😏), the rocket soared up to approximately 12 kilometers!
But the real magic happened on the way back down. Descending gracefully, it executed a controlled landing sequence. At just 50 meters above the ground, it deployed its landing legs (think superhero landing pose 🦸♂️) and touched down softly and precisely on the designated recovery pad. Talk about sticking the landing! 🏅
This isn't just any test—it's the largest vertical takeoff and landing flight of a reusable rocket in China to date. Plus, it's the first time domestically developed liquid oxygen-methane engines with variable thrust have been used in such a return flight reaching 10 kilometers. Science fiction? More like science reality! 🤯
So why is this a big deal? This success validates some seriously critical tech, like the rocket's structural integrity, high-precision navigation, and landing buffer mechanisms. In simple terms, it means China's rockets are getting better, smarter, and more reusable. 🌠
And here's the kicker: These advancements are paving the way for the scheduled maiden flight of a 4-meter diameter reusable carrier rocket in 2025. Yep, the future is closer than we think, and space just got a whole lot more accessible. 🚀✨
Whether you're a space enthusiast or just love a good tech story, keep your eyes on the skies—China's space program is shooting for the stars, and we can't wait to see what's next! 🌟
Reference(s):
China's reusable rocket finishes 1st 10 km vertical takeoff, landing
cgtn.com
