Test on rocket recovery technique succeeds in China

A demonstration test on the navigation and control system applied to a reusable space rocket was successfully conducted by a space technology innovation center under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation on Monday.

A number of key techniques in booster recovery, including online trajectory planning, and high precision relative navigation and control, were proved usable in the successful test.

The test is said to be a big push for China to develop its own reusable launch system, which will dramatically cut the cost of rocket launches.

Globally, SpaceX, a private American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company, is leading in reusable launch system technology and a number of recoveries have been made on its Falcon family of rockets since Dec 22, 2015, when company rocket made a successful return and vertical landing.