- China has introduced its first rocket recovery drone ship, Xingji Guihang, marking a major step toward reusable launch technology.
- Developed by Beijing-based iSpace, the vessel will support multiple Chinese rocket providers, not just iSpace launches.
- The ship is designed for iSpace’s upcoming SQX-3 rocket and features a dynamic positioning system for precise booster landings.
- Currently under testing in Jiangsu province, the vessel is expected to reach Hainan for delivery in October, according to SCMP.
China is taking a bold step in its space ambitions by deploying its first rocket recovery drone ship, positioning itself as the only other nation after the United States to operate such technology. This move reflects China’s intent to advance reusable rocket launches and compete with SpaceX, according to Interesting Engineering.
China’s Rocket Recovery Drone Ship
In recent years, the competition between China and the United States in space exploration has accelerated. While NASA faces uncertainty during periods of budget changes, China has steadily advanced its program with milestones such as building its own space station and achieving notable lunar missions. Now, the country is moving closer to the U.S. model of combining government backing with private sector innovation—a model that helped SpaceX transform the launch industry with its Falcon 9, the first orbital reusable rocket.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 often relies on drone ship landings, particularly when carrying heavy payloads. In such cases, the rocket lacks sufficient fuel to return directly to the launch site, requiring the first-stage booster to land at sea. To support a similar approach, China has introduced its own recovery vessel, Xingji Guihang, meaning “Interstellar Return.” Developed by Beijing-based private aerospace firm iSpace, the ship will be available for use by multiple Chinese rocket companies, not exclusively for iSpace.
The Xingji Guihang measures about 100 meters in length and 42 meters in width, slightly larger than SpaceX’s autonomous spaceport drone ship. Its recovery deck spans 40 by 60 meters, offering ample space for booster landings. The vessel is specifically designed to support the launch and recovery of iSpace’s SQX-3 rocket, which is planned for later this year.
To prepare for these operations, iSpace has already carried out vertical landing trials using its Hyperbola-2Y methane/LOX reusable verification stage. The new drone ship adds an essential capability for future reusable launches. Equipped with a dynamic positioning system similar to SpaceX’s technology, it can hold its position with precision during booster recovery operations.
Constructed in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province, the vessel is undergoing testing before being deployed. Once trials are complete, it will travel along the Yangtze River to the coast and then continue to Hainan province, where final delivery is scheduled for October, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
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Source: Interesting Engineering
