China Successfully Launches Reusable Rocket in a Win for Space Program

China launched and partially recovered a rocket, state media said, a milestone for Beijing’s space program as it competes with the U.S. and Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

The Long March-10B, in its maiden flight, was launched into orbit around noon on Friday from southern Hainan province. Minutes later, a giant net caught the rocket’s booster upon its descent, footage from state broadcaster CCTV showed. It was the first time China has successfully displayed rocket-recovery technology.