China has unveiled its first carrier rocket maritime recovery ship, a significant advancement in the nation's space program. Designated the Xingji Guihang, or Interstellar Return, the vessel positions China as only the second country, following the United States, to possess such technology. This launch signifies a major stride in China's reusable rocket maritime recovery capabilities.
The ship is designed to support the recovery of the first stage of the SQX-3 large reusable launch vehicle, developed by the private rocket maker iSPACE. The company plans to conduct a test flight involving orbit entry and maritime recovery by the end of 2025.
The Xingji Guihang is a robust vessel, approximately 100 meters long and 42 meters wide, with a recovery deck measuring 40 meters by 60 meters. It has a displacement of 17,000 tons and is equipped with a DP2 dynamic positioning system, enabling precise rocket capture even in challenging sea conditions. Its unmanned operation mode enhances safety and convenience, and a dedicated storage compartment facilitates the transport of recovered rocket components.
The ship will undergo rigorous testing and acceptance procedures, including sea trials, before arriving in Hainan Province for large-scale maritime exercises. The vessel is designed to support recovery missions for medium- and large-sized reusable rockets in the future.
iSPACE's SQX-3 rocket model has a maximum payload capacity of 14 tons. The company is actively working towards its "orbit entrance + recovery" goal, with both onboard and ground-based systems in production. iSPACE has begun producing three reusable Hyperbola-3 rockets, with the first flight test expected by the end of 2025. A reuse flight test is scheduled for 2026, and the rocket will eventually provide launch services for China's low-orbit internet constellation.
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