The vessel, named Linghangzhe or Pathfinder, has been certified by the China Classification Society, becoming the first sea based rocket recovery platform in the country to receive the required class and statutory approvals.

Linghangzhe follows the August deployment of Chinese commercial rocket company i Space's landing vessel Xingjiguihang, or Stellar Return, which carries a recovery deck combining 40 meter and 60 meter sections. The ship is intended to retrieve the first stage of i Space's reusable liquid oxygen methane rocket SQX 3, according to the company.

In August, China's new generation crew launch vehicle Long March 10 completed its first static fire test, marking a further step in national work on reusable and partially reusable systems. The Long March 10 family includes two configurations, the baseline Long March 10 and the Long March 10A, the latter described as a reusable two stage rocket.

Commercial manufacturers in China are also advancing hardware for reuse. In June, private firm LandSpace carried out a ground ignition test for the first stage propulsion system of its reusable Zhuque 3 rocket, building on earlier vertical takeoff and landing demonstrations.

Multiple Chinese rocket developers have now completed essential vertical takeoff and vertical landing tests as they prepare for operational reusable launchers supported by sea based recovery assets such as Linghangzhe and Xingjiguihang.

Related Links
China Classification Society
Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com