China’s private and commercial rocket developers, led by players like LandSpace with the Zhuque 3, are advancing reusable propulsion and VTOL/VTOL-compatible demonstrations as they build toward sea-based recovery assets.

Linghangzhe follows the August deployment of i Space’s recovery vessel Xingjiguihang (Stellar Return), which carries a recovery deck designed to collect the first stage of the SQX 3 reusable rocket.

China has received its first sea-based rocket recovery platform designed for net-based recovery, Linghangzhe (Pathfinder), which has been certified by the China Classification Society with the necessary class and statutory approvals.

The Long March 10 family, including the reusable two-stage Long March 10A, has completed a first static fire test, marking progress toward reusable and partially reusable launch capabilities.

A wave of vertical takeoff and vertical landing tests by multiple Chinese rocket teams signals readiness for operational reusable launchers supported by sea-based recovery platforms such as Linghangzhe and Xingjiguihang, indicating a coordinated push to a reusable launch ecosystem.