Weapons

Chinese university successfully launches AND lands a HYPERSONIC rocket capable of travelling faster than five times the speed of sound

A Chinese university claimed to have launched and landed a hypersonic prototype rocket that could travel faster than five times the speed of sound.

The success of the experiment means that Chinese engineers are one step closer to building a full-fledged rocket that is capable of flying faster than 6,174kmh (3,836mph) and be recycled.

Although the project is reportedly funded by the military, the university says its aim is to help researchers build a hypersonic passenger plane that could reach anywhere in the world within two hours.

It can also lay the foundation for China to take the lead in space tourism, according to the team.

The rocket, named Jia Geng No. 1, reached a maximum altitude of 26.2 kilometres (16.3 miles) - about one-third of the way to space - before returning to the ground during the landmark launch on Tuesday over Gobi Desert, said the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics of Xiamen University.

Jia Geng No. 1 measures 8.7 metres (28.5 feet) in length, 2.5 metres (8.2 feet) in width and 3,700 kilograms (8,157 pounds) in weight.