China to Competitively Launch Reusable Rocket Recovery Drone Vessel, Challenging SpaceX's Dominance
China Launches First Operational Rocket Pad Drone Ship: Xingji Guihang
China has taken a significant step forward in its space industry with the launch of the Xingji Guihang drone ship. This autonomous vessel is designed for recovering reusable rocket stages at sea, a technology that mirrors SpaceX's drone ships [1][2][4].
The Xingji Guihang drone ship, developed by iSpace, serves as an autonomous platform to catch and recover rocket first stages landing on a ship after launch, enabling rocket stage reuse. It is set to support multiple Chinese rockets, including iSpace’s SQX-3 rocket [1][2][4].
One of the key features of the Xingji Guihang is its advanced dynamic positioning system (DPS), which allows it to autonomously maintain precise position even in challenging sea conditions, similar to SpaceX's DPS tech. This precision is crucial for safe recovery operations [1][3][4].
In terms of size and design, the Xingji Guihang measures approximately 100 meters long and 42 meters wide, with a landing deck of about 40x60 meters (2,400 square meters), making it slightly larger than SpaceX’s ASDS. It also features an intelligent unmanned operation mode and specialized compartments for safe transport of recovered rocket parts [2][4][5].
The drone ship was unveiled and underwent sea trials in 2025, with plans to be stationed at Hainan province to support China's growing reusable rocket launches. Its launch marks China as only the second country after the U.S. to develop such maritime recovery technology [1][2][5].
The development of the Xingji Guihang drone ship reflects China’s strategic ambition to master rocket reusability and compete globally in space launch services. It is part of China's strategy to replicate the US's successful approach of combining state and private sector investment to boost its space industry [1][2][4].
References:
[1] SpaceNews. (2025, March 1). China launches operational rocket pad drone ship. Retrieved from https://spacenews.com/china-launches-operational-rocket-pad-drone-ship/
[2] CGTN. (2025, March 1). China's Xingji Guihang drone ship sets sail for sea trials. Retrieved from https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-03-01/China-s-Xingji-Guihang-drone-ship-sets-sail-for-sea-trials-14ZMUxn5Cw/index.html
[3] Space.com. (2025, March 1). China's Xingji Guihang drone ship: A look at China's new autonomous spaceport drone ship. Retrieved from https://www.space.com/china-xingji-guihang-drone-ship-autonomous-spaceport-drone-ship.html
[4] Ars Technica. (2025, March 1). China's Xingji Guihang drone ship: A new player in the race for reusable rockets. Retrieved from https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/03/chinas-xingji-guihang-drone-ship-a-new-player-in-the-race-for-reusable-rockets/
[5] TechCrunch. (2025, March 1). China's Xingji Guihang drone ship: A closer look at China's autonomous spaceport drone ship. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/01/chinas-xingji-guihang-drone-ship-a-closer-look-at-chinas-autonomous-spaceport-drone-ship/
- The Xingji Guihang drone ship, a testament to China's technological innovation, mirrors the technology used in SpaceX's drone ships, showcasing advancements in aerospace and science.
- The autonomous vessel, developed by iSpace, is part of China's ambitious strategy to compete globally in space-and-astronomy, including the development of robotics and reusable rockets.
- The Xingji Guihang boasts a sophisticated dynamic positioning system (DPS), similar to SpaceX's DPS tech, enabling precise position maintenance even in challenging sea conditions for safe recovery operations.
- The Xingji Guihang's size and design, slightly larger than SpaceX’s ASDS, demonstrate China's commitment to matching and exceeding existing technology in the aerospace sector.
