China's space industry reached a new milestone this week with the delivery of its first certified sea-based rocket recovery platform, "Linghangzhe" (Pathfinder). The floating installation, approved by the China Classification Society, features an innovative net capture system designed to retrieve reusable rocket components after launch.
This development comes amid accelerated progress in China's commercial space sector. In August 2025, private firm i-Space launched its "Xingjiguihang" recovery vessel, capable of handling rockets up to 60 meters long. State-owned enterprises have also advanced, with the Long March-10 rocket series completing critical static fire tests earlier this year.
Industry analysts note these advancements position China to significantly reduce space mission costs. "Maritime recovery platforms solve land constraints while enabling flexible mission profiles," said a Beijing-based aerospace engineer familiar with the projects. Multiple companies including LandSpace have reported successful ground tests for reusable propulsion systems, suggesting broader industry momentum.
