In the future, as the cost of space travel decreases due to reusable technology, exploring other planets and celestial bodies will no longer seem far-fetched.
On the journey of space exploration, SpaceX has become the benchmark for rocket reusability technology, and China appears to be following suit. At a recent airshow in Zhuhai, China unveiled the latest version of the Long March 9 rocket, with a design that many believe is a “copy” of SpaceX’s Starship. However, in reality, this rocket model is considered the next step for the country in the space race, a competition that requires not only speed but also creativity and innovation.
China has launched the latest version of the Long March 9 rocket.
The new version of the Long March 9 is equipped with a reusable first stage featuring 30 YF-215 engines, which use methane and liquid oxygen as fuel, similar to SpaceX’s Raptor engines. Each YF-215 engine generates approximately 200 tons of thrust, slightly less than the 280 tons produced by the Raptor, but still meets the technical requirements for long-term space missions.
The new design of the Long March 9 indicates that China is not merely copying but is also determined to enhance rocket performance through reusable technology. The ability for the first stage of the Long March 9 to be reused marks a significant advancement for China’s rocket launch industry. Moreover, the second stage of this rocket is equipped with aerodynamic fins similar to those of the Starship, indicating a clear direction in competing with SpaceX’s technology.
Eric Berger, a reporter for Ars Technica, noted that China seems to be closely following every step of SpaceX’s development to learn from the achievements of this company. This is evident not only in the Long March 9 but also through the efforts of private Chinese startups, such as Cosmoleap, which has announced plans to develop reusable rockets with a “stick” recovery system similar to Starship.
SpaceX has created a major shift in the space industry thanks to Elon Musk’s bold vision of sending humans to Mars. Meanwhile, Starship, the world’s most powerful launch vehicle, is key to this vision and is currently undergoing testing with various high-altitude flights. Recently, SpaceX successfully recovered the Super Heavy booster using the Mechazilla launch tower in mid-October, marking an important milestone in realizing the reusability of Starship.
China is also developing a reusable rocket with a “stick” recovery system similar to Starship.
Meanwhile, China’s space program, despite significant progress, is perceived to be lagging behind SpaceX in the development of reusable rockets. However, the latest design of the Long March 9 shows that China is determined to close this gap.
The Long March 9 is expected to have its first flight in 2033, nearly a decade from now, but the current design confirms China’s strong progress in reusable technology. While SpaceX’s Starship currently dominates this field, China’s decision to pursue a similar design demonstrates that reusability is a core factor for advancements in the global space race.
China’s efforts do not stop at just one launch vehicle. The country has set long-term goals such as crewed missions to the Moon and Mars. These are ambitious goals that require continuous development in rocket technology, and the design of the Long March 9 is just the beginning of a more ambitious space program.
Reducing costs through rocket reusability could open the door to more frequent and farther-reaching space missions. This would not only help humanity explore distant realms of the universe but could also create new opportunities in space resource extraction and scientific research activities. That is why reusability has become the new standard in the global space race.
The Long March 9 is part of China’s plan to establish a long-term presence in space.
While it is undeniable that China draws inspiration from SpaceX’s Starship, it cannot be claimed that this is merely a low-quality copy. With a strategic vision for long-term space missions, the Long March 9 is part of China’s plan to establish a long-term presence in space. Competing with SpaceX and other countries has driven China to continuously evolve toward its own space conquest goals.
The new space race is not just about speed or technology; it is about refinement and balancing innovation, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. This competition will shape the future of the space industry and bring humanity closer to the dream of interplanetary travel.
