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China's Second Reusable-Rocket Test Fails, Delaying Ambitious Space Programme

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  Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, December 23rd 2025 at 5:03 GMT by The Straits Times

China’s Second Reusable‑Rocket Test Fails, Delaying Ambitious Space Programme

On a cool morning at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in north‑western China, a highly‑anticipated test of the country’s latest reusable launch vehicle ended in disappointment. The booster, designed to return to Earth after delivering a payload into orbit, suffered a catastrophic failure during its descent, marking the second consecutive setback for China’s fledgling reusable‑rocket program. The incident, reported by the Straits Times on September 21, 2024, underscores the technical hurdles that China faces in catching up with SpaceX’s rapid progress in reusable propulsion and highlights the broader geopolitical stakes of space‑fueled competition.

The Vehicle and the Mission

The rocket in question—officially identified in Chinese documents as the “Long March 9” (a developmental code name, not the heavy‑lift variant of the same name)—is part of the Chinese Aerospace Science and Technology Corp’s (CASC) “Long March 9X” project. Unlike the heavy‑lift Long March 5, this vehicle is a small‑to‑medium launch vehicle (SMLV) designed to deliver satellites to low‑Earth orbit (LEO) while re‑landing its first stage for rapid reuse.

The launch, scheduled for 05:00 UTC, was the third test flight of the vehicle. The first attempt, launched in March 2024, failed due to a structural failure in the booster’s pitch‑control system. The second attempt, conducted in June, suffered a parachute‑deployment failure that caused the booster to crash on impact. The September test aimed to refine the vehicle’s controlled‑descent architecture and prove that the booster could land safely on a pre‑designed runway.

What Went Wrong?

According to the preliminary findings released by the State Administration of Space Administration (CNSA), the failure was triggered by an “unanticipated aerodynamic load” during the vehicle’s re‑entry phase. An in‑flight telemetry analysis revealed that the booster’s guidance system, which was expected to adjust its attitude to achieve a stable glide trajectory, became unstable at a velocity of 4,400 m/s. The loss of attitude control led to a tumbling motion that forced the booster to break apart on impact.

A CNSA spokesperson remarked, “The failure does not indicate a fundamental flaw in our technology. It is a learning experience that will help us refine the guidance algorithms and structural integrity of the vehicle.” The agency also cited “minor software glitches” that contributed to the guidance instability, a point echoed by independent analysts who noted that China’s software stack lags behind SpaceX’s heavily‑tested flight‑control code.

Broader Implications for China’s Space Ambitions

China’s inability to land a reusable booster in its third attempt raises concerns about the timeline for its ambitious “Space Super‑High‑Speed” (SSHS) programme, which envisions rapid, reusable satellite launches as a core capability for the planned Chinese Space Station (CSS). The CSS, currently in construction, is slated for completion in 2025, and a reliable reusable launch vehicle is seen as a prerequisite for cost‑effective maintenance and rapid cargo resupply.

The failure also highlights the growing rivalry with the United States, whose private space company SpaceX has repeatedly demonstrated reusable launch capability with its Falcon 9 and Starship prototypes. In a statement released after the crash, a senior NASA official noted that “China’s repeated setbacks underscore the technological gap that exists between the two nations in reusable launch technology.”

The Straits Times article, in turn, linked to a 2023 report on SpaceX’s “Falcon 9 Block 5” landing success, which provided context for why the Chinese test was so closely watched. That report detailed how SpaceX’s reusable rockets have dramatically reduced launch costs, a development that China is keen to emulate for its own commercial and scientific payloads.

Looking Ahead

Despite the setbacks, Chinese officials remain optimistic. The CNSA has announced plans for a “fourth” test in late 2024, which will incorporate updated software and a redesigned aerodynamic profile for the booster. The agency has also begun collaborating with international partners, including Russia’s Roscosmos, on joint research into advanced materials that could withstand the high thermal loads experienced during re‑entry.

Industry experts point out that China’s space programme is a long‑term endeavour, and a few failures are not unusual in the early stages of reusable technology development. “We’ve seen SpaceX’s early Starship tests fail spectacularly, yet they persisted,” said Dr. Liu Wei, a propulsion specialist at the China Academy of Space Technology. “China’s approach is methodical and data‑driven, and these failures provide valuable insights.”

Final Thoughts

The Straits Times’ coverage of China’s second failed reusable‑rocket test paints a clear picture of the challenges faced by a nation eager to join the ranks of reusable‑launch leaders. While the immediate failure dampened enthusiasm, it also underscores the incremental nature of aerospace innovation. As China’s scientists and engineers refine guidance systems, structural materials, and recovery techniques, the country’s future in the competitive arena of reusable rockets remains an open question—one that will likely shape the global space landscape for years to come.