Reusable rocket in development

Chinese rocket engineers want to be able to recover the first stage of the Long March 8 carrier rocket after use.

The rocket is still in development and is expected to make its maiden flight around 2021.

The Long March 8 is part of China's effort to develop reusable space vehicles, Long Lehao, chief designer of carrier rockets at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, said at a space conference in Harbin, Heilongjiang province.