LandSpace landed a stainless-steel orbital booster.

It joins SpaceX and Blue Origin, narrowing China’s gap in reusable rockets.

Steel is heavier than aluminium but cheaper and holds strength at re-entry heat, a manufacturing bet over a mass bet.

LandSpace plans to refly the booster within six months and up to 20 times.

Sources: South China Morning Post, Reuters, MoneyControl, CNA