China has tested a prototype of a reusable rocket at high altitude.
On the evening of January 18, 2025, the Chinese state-owned company SAST successfully launched the prototype of the Longxing-2 rocket. The objective was to test the technology for returning the booster from an altitude of 75 kilometers.
2025-01-22 10:01:13https://naked-science.ru/community/1025264
The new test aims to build on the success of the launch and vertical landing of the "Lunxin-2" from an altitude of 10 kilometers, which specialists from SAST conducted in June of last year.
"Lunxin-2" is regarded as a test prototype for the upcoming reusable Long March 12A carrier rocket, being developed by the Shanghai Academy of Space Technology (SAST).
Footage captured near the launch site showed the rocket taking off and ascending without any visible anomalies. However, more than a day after the tests, SAST has not released any results or details about the flight. The lack of official updates raises questions about the success of the launch and may indicate issues during the landing of "Lunxin-2."