Chinese yard launches new rocket recovery vessel

Jiangsu Runyang Shipbuilding in China recently floated out a new offshore rocket recovery vessel ordered by local aerospace company the Interstellar Glory Space Technology Group (iSpace).

Upon its completion, Interstellar Return will have a length of 100 metres, a beam of 42 metres, a depth of 6.5 metres, a displacement of approximately 18,000 tons, and an open deck with a total area of 2,400 square metres.

A DP2 system will also be fitted to enable the vessel to safely recover both medium and large reusable space rockets in offshore waters in conditions of up to sea state four. Navigation will be possible even under sea state five.

The vessel is a core piece of equipment for rocket recovery and reuse, offering advantages such as being "green" and environmentally friendly and having intelligent systems, according to Huang Xuewei, Chairman of Jiangsu Runyang Shipbuilding.

Interstellar Return is scheduled for delivery to iSpace in October of this year.