China Lands Reusable Rocket Booster on Ship

China’s state-owned space company recovered a Long March orbital rocket booster on a seagoing vessel Friday, becoming the second country after the United States to complete the maneuver. The demonstration marks progress toward reusing the same booster multiple times, a step that could reduce launch expenses for the company’s future missions.

The booster landed using netting strung across a large frame on the recovery ship rather than unfolding legs like the Falcon 9. Officials said the vehicle can carry roughly the same payload capacity as the Falcon 9. The company stated it plans to attempt reuse of the booster by the end of the year.

Success will require reliable engine restarts and guidance systems able to survive atmospheric reentry.

SpaceX currently leads annual launch counts with its reusable Falcon 9 fleet, which supports the Starlink network and contracts for NASA and the U.S. Space Force. A reusable Chinese booster could support domestic satellite networks and orbital data centers that compete with Starlink in markets across Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

Origin recovered and reused a booster earlier this year before an explosion on the launch pad in May delayed further tests. Rocket Lab continues development of its Neutron vehicle, and Stoke Space aims to test a fully reusable rocket this year. A static fire test of SpaceX’s Starship booster occurred without incident on the same day as the Chinese recovery.