China Secures Early Funding To Beat America N reusable rocket technology

China’s Astronstone and its plans to develop a stainless steel rocket with “chopstick” recovery:

China's ptivate company Astronstone built stainless steel common bulkhead tank may2025 (photo credit- Astronstone)

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China’s Astronstone Secures Early Funding for Reusable Stainless Steel Rocket with Innovative “Chopstick” Landing Tech

In a bold step toward advancing China’s reusable launch capabilities, Chinese aerospace startup Astronstone has secured early-stage funding to develop a next-generation stainless steel orbital rocket. The rocket is expected to feature a “chopstick” landing system — a vertical recovery mechanism inspired by SpaceX’s successful Falcon 9 booster catch arms.

The funding round underscores growing investor confidence in China’s private space sector and signals Astronstone’s ambition to compete on the global stage in cost-effective, reusable orbital launch technology.

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🚀 Stainless Steel Rocket Inspired by SpaceX’s Starship

Astronstone's planned launch vehicle will be built using stainless steel, similar to the construction of SpaceX’s Starship. Stainless steel offers several advantages for orbital-class rockets, including:

• High strength-to-weight ratio

• Resistance to extreme temperatures

• Lower manufacturing costs compared to carbon composites

According to company sources, the stainless steel design will allow the rocket to better withstand the stresses of re-entry and recovery, making it suitable for multiple flights.

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🛠️ “Chopstick” Recovery: China’s First Vertical Catch System

One of the most unique features of Astronstone’s rocket will be its use of a chopstick-style vertical recovery system, mounted on a ground tower. The system mimics SpaceX’s “Mechazilla” arms, designed to catch the rocket booster as it descends back to Earth, eliminating the need for landing legs or ocean landings.

Benefits of the chopstick system include:

• Precision landings on the launch tower

• Faster turnaround time between launches

• Lower weight and fuel requirements

This marks the first time a Chinese company has publicly committed to this type of vertical booster catch technology — signaling a major shift in how Chinese firms are approaching reusability.

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💸 Seed Funding Secures R&D for Reusability Milestone

Astronstone has not disclosed the exact amount raised in the seed round, but sources suggest the funding will go toward:

• Prototyping the rocket’s main body

• Testing the vertical catch arm system

• Engine development and integration

• Flight simulations and vertical hop tests

The company plans to conduct suborbital demonstrations in the next 12–18 months, with a goal of achieving full orbital launch and recovery capability within the next 2–3 years.

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🌌 China’s Expanding Private Space Sector

Astronstone joins a growing list of Chinese space startups — including iSpace, Galactic Energy, and Space Pioneer — developing reusable launch technologies. The Chinese government has relaxed regulations in recent years to allow greater participation from private firms, leading to a boom in innovation, especially in:

• Rocket reusability

• Micro-launchers

• Satellite deployment platforms

• Green propulsion systems

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📈 What This Means for Global Space Competition

If successful, Astronstone could become the first Chinese company to attempt a launch tower-based rocket catch system, putting it in direct technological competition with SpaceX and Blue Origin. This would also open up new commercial opportunities for satellite deployment, cargo resupply, and rapid re-launch services — both domestically and internationally.

chinas-astronstone-raises-early-funding-for-stainless-steel-rocket-with-chopstick-recovery/

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FAQ Schema:-

❓ What is Astronstone?
Astronstone is a private Chinese aerospace startup developing a reusable stainless steel orbital rocket. The company aims to implement a “chopstick” tower-based landing system similar to SpaceX’s Mechazilla.

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❓ What makes Astronstone’s rocket different from others?
Astronstone’s rocket will be built using stainless steel and feature a vertical landing system using mechanical arms (“chopsticks”) to catch the booster on descent — a first for any Chinese launch company.

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❓ What is the “chopstick” rocket recovery system?
The “chopstick” recovery system refers to large mechanical arms mounted on a tower that catch the returning rocket booster mid-air, allowing it to land vertically without the need for legs or a landing pad.

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❓ Why is Astronstone using stainless steel for its rocket?
Stainless steel offers several advantages, including resistance to heat, structural durability, and lower production costs, making it ideal for reusable launch vehicles that endure high thermal stress during re-entry.

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❓ When will Astronstone launch its first rocket?
Astronstone plans to conduct suborbital flight tests within 12 to 18 months, with the goal of a full orbital launch and recovery by 2026.

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❓ How is Astronstone similar to SpaceX?
Like SpaceX, Astronstone is:
Building rockets from stainless steel
Pursuing reusability
Testing vertical landing technology
Using catch-arm systems for rocket recovery

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❓ Is this the first time a Chinese company has used vertical catch technology?
Yes. Astronstone is the first known Chinese space company to develop and plan a launch tower-based rocket catch system similar to SpaceX’s “Mechazilla.”

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❓ What are the benefits of chopstick-style rocket recovery?
Faster turnaround for launches
No landing gear required
Reduced rocket weight
Lower operational costs
Precision landings

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