China has taken a significant leap in its space ambitions with the launch of its first drone ship designed to recover reusable rockets, making it only the second country after the United States to master this advanced technology, according to the South China Morning Post.
The vessel, named Xingji Guihang or “Interstellar Return,” was developed by the Beijing-based private aerospace company iSpace. It marks a crucial step forward in China’s efforts to cut space travel costs and accelerate the development of its commercial space industry by adopting reusable rocket technology.
Similar to SpaceX’s drone ships, the Xingji Guihang is equipped with a dynamic positioning system enabling autonomous operations. The ship features a recovery deck of 2,400 square meters—large enough to accommodate a returning rocket’s first-stage booster—and can precisely maneuver to retrieve rocket parts even amid rough seas.
“The vessel is designed for the launch of iSpace’s SQX-3 rocket later this year,” iSpace said in a statement. “In the future, it will also be compatible with sea recovery missions for various medium-to-large reusable rockets.”
Built and launched in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province, the drone ship will undergo testing before moving down the Yangtze River and heading to Hainan province for delivery scheduled in October.
Rocket recovery vessels are vital for retrieving heavy rocket components that lack sufficient fuel to return to launch sites after missions carrying larger payloads. These vessels then transport the parts back for inspection and reuse, significantly reducing launch expenses.
This technology was pioneered by SpaceX, which successfully landed its Falcon 9 booster on a drone ship in 2015. SpaceX now operates a fleet of drone ships and auxiliary vessels, recently recovering the booster of its Starship mega-rocket for the first time.
Before this milestone by iSpace, the US was the only country with rocket recovery vessels. The Chinese project also received funding from an investor linked to the state-owned Chengdu Industrial Investment Group, reflecting Beijing’s strategy of combining state and private sector resources in its space race with the US.
China’s move reflects its growing ambition to match US technological breakthroughs and foster a vibrant commercial space sector, leveraging innovations like reusable rockets to drive down costs and expand capabilities.
