BEIJING, July 12 -- China has achieved a milestone in its commercial space programme by using high-purity methane fuel derived from liquefied natural gas (LNG) for the first time in the Long March-10B rocket, marking a major step toward diversifying rocket propellant sources.

The breakthrough came during the rocket's successful maiden flight and sea-based recovery test on Friday. The two-stage reusable Long March-10B was developed for China's commercial space market and features a 5-metre-diameter core stage with all critical components produced domestically.

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According to fuel developer Sinopec, the rocket used liquid oxygen-methane propellant with methane purity...