According to CASC, the Long March 12A's upper stage performed as intended, successfully reaching the mission's predetermined orbit. However, the rocket's methane-fueled first stage booster failed to complete a braking burn to slow down for landing at a prepared location near the edge of the Gobi Desert. The booster instead hurtled through the atmosphere at supersonic speed, impacting in a remote region about 200 miles downrange from the Jiuquan spaceport in northwestern China.

"We are pleased with the successful completion of the upper stage, but we acknowledge that the first stage did not meet our expectations," said a CASC spokesperson. "We will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the failure and implement necessary improvements for future missions."

The reusable launch technology, which involves recovering and reusing rocket boosters, is a key component of China's space program, aimed at reducing the cost and increasing the efficiency of space launches. This technology has been a focus of SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, which has successfully reused its Falcon 9 rockets multiple times.

The Long March 12A is a significant development in China's space program, as it marks the country's second attempt at reusable launch technology in three weeks. The first attempt, which took place on December 10, also successfully reached orbit but failed to recover the first stage booster.

China's space program has made significant strides in recent years, with the country launching multiple satellites and spacecraft into orbit. The reusable launch technology is seen as a crucial step in further advancing China's space capabilities and reducing the cost of space launches.

The CASC spokesperson noted that the agency will continue to work on improving the reusable launch technology, with the goal of achieving a successful recovery of the first stage booster in the near future. "We are committed to making significant advancements in this area and are confident that our efforts will pay off in the long run," the spokesperson said.

The success of the Long March 12A's upper stage and the failure of the first stage booster highlight the complexities and challenges involved in developing reusable launch technology. As the space industry continues to evolve, the development of reusable launch systems is seen as a critical component of reducing the cost and increasing the efficiency of space launches.

In related news, SpaceX is also working on its Starship program, which aims to develop a reusable spacecraft capable of taking both people and cargo to the moon, Mars, and other destinations in the solar system. The company has already successfully tested its Starship prototype multiple times, with the goal of achieving a crewed mission to Mars in the near future.

The success of China's reusable launch technology and the ongoing development of SpaceX's Starship program highlight the growing competition and innovation in the space industry. As the industry continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see significant advancements in reusable launch technology and other areas of space exploration.