Key Takeaways
- China’s state-owned CASC launched a Long March rocket and successfully landed its booster.
- This achievement positions China to compete in the reusable rocket sector.
- China’s approach to recovery differs from SpaceX’s, utilizing netting on a recovery ship.
- Potential implications for global satellite communications and military advantages.
Successful Launch and Recovery
China’s Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) has successfully launched a Long March orbital rocket and landed its booster on a recovery vessel. This makes China the second country to achieve this feat, following SpaceX’s lead in reusable rocket technology.
China’s Approach to Reusability
Unlike SpaceX, which employs landing legs to settle its Falcon 9 boosters on a floating platform, China uses a netting system strung across a large frame on a recovery ship. This method requires advanced guidance software and reliable engines capable of restarting and withstanding the intense conditions of re-entry into the atmosphere. CASC plans to attempt reusing the booster by the end of the year, which can carry a payload similar to that of the Falcon 9.
Implications for Global Competition
SpaceX has been setting launch records annually with its fleet of reusable rockets, which support its Starlink satellite network and contracts with NASA and the U.S. Space Force. Victoria Samson from the Secure World Foundation noted that if China succeeds in reusing its rockets, it could significantly reduce launch costs and enhance its soft power by offering affordable launch services to allies.
While China may not directly compete with SpaceX for launch customers due to national security regulations that divide the global market, a reusable rocket could bolster China’s satellite communications and potential orbital data centers, increasing competition for Starlink, especially in regions like Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Challenges Ahead for SpaceX
For the U.S. military, China’s advancements could diminish its strategic advantages in space. This development comes shortly after reports surfaced about China and Russia collaborating on strategies to counter Starlink’s successes in Ukraine. Meanwhile, SpaceX is working to get its larger Starship rocket operational, following a mixed outcome from its last launch attempt. The company is expected to make another attempt soon, with recent static fire tests indicating progress.
Other Players in the Reusable Rocket Market
In the U.S., other companies are also pursuing reusable rocket technology. Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin successfully recovered a booster in 2025 but faced setbacks after a rocket explosion on the launch pad in May. Rocket Lab is developing its Neutron rocket, designed for reusability, while Stoke Space is working on a fully reusable rocket, aiming for tests later this year.