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New Rocket Tech: China Uses Nets to Catch Boosters
10 Jul
Summary
- China's Long March 10B rocket uses nets for landing.
- Landing hooks catch the rocket on a floating platform.
- SpaceX leads due to cost-effective reusable Falcon 9.
China has unveiled a novel approach to rocket recovery with its Long March 10B booster, differentiating itself from current industry leaders. Instead of autonomous landings on ground pads or drone ships, this Chinese rocket utilizes a system of "landing hooks." These hooks are designed to engage with a net attached to a floating platform, effectively catching the booster mid-descent. This method presents a distinct alternative to the highly successful reusable booster technology pioneered by SpaceX with its Falcon 9, which remains a dominant force in the cost-effective satellite launch market.
Meanwhile, competitors continue to navigate the complex landscape of rocket reusability. Blue Origin successfully landed its New Glenn booster in the previous year, but experienced a setback when its sole launch pad was destroyed in an incident during May. China's net-catching system, though perhaps less conventional, marks a significant development in the ongoing global efforts to achieve reliable and efficient rocket recovery.
