CAS Space takes steps toward 1st launch of reusable rocket

The Chinese commercial space firm CAS Space is making serious progress on a new, reusable rocket as reported in Space.com. CAS Space is testing components of the Kinetica-2 — also known as Lijian-2 — rocket in preparation for a planned first launch next year.

"To recycle rockets is the major way to reduce the demand for rocket production capacity, as it's impossible for us to build production lines without limits. So we recycle the big stuff, which is the best way to improve the launch capacity," Shi Xiaoning, vice president of Beijing CAS Space, told China Central Television (CCTV).

The company aims to begin recovering and reusing the rocket's first stage and boosters by 2028.

Featured Image: Artist's impression of CAS Space's Kinetica-2 rocket lifting off. (Image credit: CAS Space via X)