China debuts first SpaceX style drone ship to recover reusable rockets

China has taken a significant step forward in its space ambitions with the launch of its autonomous ship, designed to recover reusable rockets.

After the United States (U.S.), China has become the second country to master this technology.

This move has challenged the U.S. in the commercial space race as SpaceX has dominated this industry for decades.

The newly released vessel is named Xingji Guihang (Interstellar Return) and is developed bythe  private aerospace firm iSpace.

The vessel will facilitate in the recovery of reusable rockets from multiple Chinese manufacturers.

The ship signals a crucial move by China to slash space mission costs and enhance its commercial space industry.

While describing the spacecraft, the company stated: “The vessel is designed for the launch of iSpace’s SQX-3 rocket later this year. In the future, it will also be compatible with sea recovery missions for various medium-to-large reusable rockets.”

Replicating a similar technology to SpaceX’s drone landing platforms, the Xingji Guihang has the ability to auto stabilize itself in rough seas and precisely position itself to catch descending rocket boosters.

The vessel was built in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province. 

The ship will undergo multiple trials before travelling down the Yangtze River to the coast and then to Hainan for deployment by October.

The autonomous vessels that are capable of rocket recovery are much needed to retrieve first-stage boosters after launch. This enables companies to refurbish and reuse them, helping in effective cost-cutting.