The Net Result: China's Unconventional Approach to Reusable Rockets China's recent use of a giant net to recover a reusable rocket has sparked debate in the aerospace community over its potential to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
While some experts hail it as a game changer, others remain skeptical about its practicality. One primary concern is the lack of transparency surrounding the cost of building and operating the vessel used for recovery.
The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) claims that this method eliminates heavy landing gear, making the rocket lighter and allowing for more payload to be carried into orbit.