On November 12, 2024, at the Zhuhai Airshow in Guangdong Province, China showcased its Long March 9 rocket concept, designed for reuse in space launches.
This 114-meter rocket features a reusable first stage powered by 30 YF-215 engines, utilizing methane and liquid oxygen, akin to SpaceX's Raptor engines.
Animation released by the contractor demonstrates the first stage's grid fins, resembling those on SpaceX rockets. The second stage design also mirrors SpaceX's Starship, with similar aerodynamic flaps.
Long March 9 can carry 100 tons to low Earth orbit and 50 tons to lunar transfer orbit, according to Chen Ziyu from the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT). The rocket aims to support various space missions ranging from low Earth orbit to deep space exploration.
Chen outlined a two-phase development plan: initially as a heavy-lift model to enhance access to space, followed by a fully reusable two-stage configuration to reduce costs and increase launch frequency.
China's design for Long March 9 has evolved from a previous model with a 10-meter diameter kerosene booster to a configuration featuring four 5-meter diameter methane boosters. Additionally, plans include constructing two megaconstellations of approximately 13,000 low Earth orbit satellites.