HELSINKI \u2014 China\u2019s main space contractor has unveiled a fully reusable rocket concept, reminiscent of SpaceX’s Starship, designed to support its grandest ambitions for space.<\/p>
The new concept for the oft-revamped design of China\u2019s Long March 9 rocket is on display at the Zhuhai Airshow in Guangdong province, which opened Nov. 12.<\/p>
An animated video of the new Long March 9 concept shows the large first stage deploying grid fins and making a reentry burn. It then performs a landing burn, targeting an offshore platform, with moveable rails closing to capture the stage, with the grid fins just above or resting on the rails.<\/p>
SpaceX demonstrated the first capture of its Super Heavy booster in October<\/a>, with arms on the rocket\u2019s launch pad contracting to catch the stage just below the grid fins.<\/p> Another section of the video shows a Starship-like upper stage performing a familiar \u201cbelly flop<\/a>\u201d reentry and landing vertically after a powered descent.<\/p>