Chinese to copy SpaceX

Capt'n Midnight

Long March 8 to be reusable
http://spacenews.com/china-to-test-rocket-reusability-with-planned-long-march-8-launcher/

The rocket will also use two solid propellant boosters, likely based on the Long March 11. While the core, equipped with landing legs as well as grid fins for attitude control, could land following powered descent, the boosters are understood to use parachutes, like the U.S. space shuttle’s solid rocket boosters.

Wibbs

Chinese to copy [insert pretty much anything here}.

Peregrine

Seems to be different technology. I wouldn't call it copying. Once SpaceX reused rockets, somebody else was bound to follow suit. SpaceX doesn't really own the idea of reusable launch systems.

Capt'n Midnight

Peregrine wrote: »

Seems to be different technology. I wouldn't call it copying. Once SpaceX reused rockets, somebody else was bound to follow suit. SpaceX doesn't really own the idea of reusable launch systems.

The Russians and Ukrainians have been talking about putting wings on the boosters for Energia for ages.

But the Chinese have copied everything they can get their hands on.

Yes they can do new stuff too, if the Chinese phone system had been around a little earlier the Europe would probably be using it instead of the US system.

Wibbs

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

But the Chinese have copied everything they can get their hands on.

Yep. China must be near of at the top of outright and blatant theft and copying of intellectual property of any country on the planet, both in private and public industries.