Last Sunday, November 30, 2025, the Chinese mainland delivered its first sea-based rocket net recovery platform, Pathfinder (“Linghangzhe”), marking a new milestone in reusable space tech. 🚀⚓️
Certified by the China Classification Society, Pathfinder is the first platform on the Chinese mainland to earn the class and statutory certifications needed to catch rockets at sea. Its recovery deck spans over 40 to 60 meters, creating a floating “bullseye” for returning rockets.
This breakthrough builds on the Chinese mainland’s push toward reusable launch systems. In August 2025, commercial rocket company i-Space launched the landing vessel “Xingjiguihang” (Stellar Return) to retrieve the first stage of its SQX-3 liquid oxygen-methane rocket.
That same month, the new-generation manned Long March-10 rocket family fired up during its first static test. The lineup includes the standard Long March-10 and the reusable two-stage Long March-10A, both designed to boost future crewed missions and satellite deployments.
Meanwhile, manufacturers on the Chinese mainland are racing to perfect reusability. In June 2025, LandSpace completed a ground ignition test for the first-stage propulsion system of its reusable Zhuque-3 rocket. Several companies have already nailed vertical takeoff and landing trials, setting the stage for faster, greener launches.
Pathfinder’s sea-based recovery approach could slash turnaround times and cut costs, giving the Chinese mainland’s space industry a fresh edge. Young space geeks, get ready to watch rockets splash down in style! 🌊✨
Reference(s):
China's first sea-based rocket net recovery platform delivered
cgtn.com
