China conducts surprise launch of Long March 12B, delivers Qianfan satellites on debut flight
China conducts surprise launch of Long March 12B, delivers Qianfan satellites on debut flight
China conducts surprise launch of Long March 12B, delivers Qianfan satellites on debut flight
China conducts surprise launch of Long March 12B, delivers Qianfan satellites on debut flight
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I’m surprised this wasn’t posted earlier.
The Long March 12B is a partially reusable launch vehicle similar in size and capability to Falcon 9 (but slightly smaller). It’s built by CASC, China’s national launch contractor, and is one of several partially reusable launch vehicles that are being developed under the “Long March” label.
No recovery attempt was made on this flight though.
China really went “ok bet” and just spun up their own mini Falcon 9 in like a decade.
Curious how fast they move to actual booster recovery, because on paper it looks solid, but SpaceX made it look way easier than it actually is.
“Qianfan satellites” written in that headline as if anyone knows what a “Qianfan” is
Did they just do this to dunk on Blue Origin?