Reusable rocket developers aim for new heights

This aerial photo taken on Dec 10, 2023 shows a Chinese commercial reusable rocket named SQX-2Y blasting off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China during its second flight test mission. The rocket is then planned to conduct its first reuse flight test mission in June next year, said Ji Haibo, deputy general manager of the company. Another rocket startup, Deep Blue Aerospace, announced last year that it plans to carry out commercial suborbital flights in 2027, using the company's reusable rocket Nebula-1. The oxygen/kerosene-fueled Nebula-1, the company's first reusable launch vehicle, completed 10 of the 11 key verification tasks during its first high-altitude vertical recovery flight test on Sept 22 last year.