Topic: China recovers rocket stage in sea-based net
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 56776 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-10-2026 04:58 PM
China launched its first Long March-10B carrier rocket on Friday (July 10) from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site. In addition to making a successful maiden flight of the two-stage rocket, it also recovered the first stage of an orbital-class rocket.
"Net-based recovery simplifies the onboard structure, reduces weight, and boosts payload capacity. It also demonstrates strong adaptability to landing deviations, effectively 'enlarging' the capture window through coordinated net operations," said Chen Muye of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).
Supporting this innovation, the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) delivered the first sea-based platform for net-based rocket recovery in November 2025. Measuring 144 meters by 50 meters with a full-load displacement of 25,000 tonnes, the vessel serves as the crucial foundation for this system.
Xu Xuelei of CASC said in an interview that the platform's massive tower structure is anchored to the deck by four large supports. Equipped with LiDAR units at each corner, the system automatically tracks the rocket's position and attitude and uses specialized cables to absorb its kinetic and potential energy. This fully automated, unmanned process leaves the rocket suspended motionless at the center of the net.
posted 07-10-2026 04:58 PM
advertisement