The semi-state-owned Chinese space company, CAS Space, has tested a rocket prototype that can land on a barge, much like SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets have been able to do since 2015.
CAS Space has released a video clip of what it looked like when the prototype was tested, which you can check out below. According to Chinese Global Times, the prototype reached around 1,000 meters in altitude before beginning its descent and then landing on the barge. As you can see, it is a very small rocket that is only supposed to be 2.1 meters tall. This can be compared to SpaceX’s giant Starship rocket, which is intended to land in a similar way and is 50 meters tall.
CAS Space is a relatively new company that was founded just five years ago. Earlier this year, the company presented a long list of rocket models it planned to develop, all of which appeared to have drawn a lot of “inspiration” from its American competitors.
