China has unveiled the two-stage reusable configuration of the Long March 9 heavy-lift rocket at the ongoing 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, which opened in south China's coastal city of Zhuhai on Tuesday.
Designed with an idea of modular, universalization and serialization, the heavy launch vehicle has three planned configurations - a three-stage version, a two-stage version and a two-stage completely reusable version.
The reusable configuration is highlighted by the rocket designer - the First Research Institute of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation – at this year's Zhuhai Airshow.
"The heavy-lift rocket has a capacity of 100 tons in low-Earth orbit and 50 tons in lunar transfer orbit, which can cover the launch needs of various space missions from low orbit to deep space exploration," said Chen Ziyu, a designer at the institute.
The designer said that they will achieve the heavy carrying capacity and full reuse of the rocket in two steps. The first step will focus on building the basic model of the heavy rocket to greatly improve the country's ability to access the space, and the second step will be building a two-stage fully reusable configuration to largely reduce costs and increase efficiency of launching and recovering rockets, enabling the country to have the capacity of large-scale regular space transportation.
"Our ultimate goal is to have a two-stage fully reusable configuration. And different configurations can be adapted to the launch needs of missions to different orbits," Chen said.
The highly-anticipated biennial aerospace trade event, also known as Airshow China, will run through Sunday. It has attracted 1,022 companies from 47 countries and regions to showcase their star aviation and aerospace products, including a record number of products being debuted to the public at the event.
China unveils two-stage reusable configuration of Long March 9 heavy-lift rocket
The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) is ready to completely withdraw from the governmental scene in the Gaza Strip and engage in a positive and constructive manner with the second phase of the plan to end the war in the enclave, said Hamas political bureau member Basem Naim on Friday. In a statement, Naim said that the ceasefire deal became an international plan after being adopted by the United Nations Security Council. However, it is now facing obstacles.
He accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of reneging on his commitments and escalating the situation, in an attempt to return to war and save his political career. Pointing out that Israeli strikes have caused hundreds of casualties since the announcement of the ceasefire, the Hamas official said the escalation cannot occur without cover or green light from the United States. He said Hamas has committed to all its obligations under the ceasefire agreement, as attested by the mediators and the U.S., adding that it is ready for the second phase of the agreement.
He emphasized the Movement's commitment to the establishment of a fully empowered Palestinian body to administer Gaza, and its complete withdrawal from the governmental scene.
Naim warned that the situation will not be sustainable if the continued escalation of Israeli military operations and the persistence of the catastrophic humanitarian situation remain unaddressed, adding that the circle of fire may expand, which is what Netanyahu aspires to.
Since a ceasefire took effect on Oct 10, 2025, Gaza's death toll has risen to 439 with 1,223 injuries, according to local health authorities on Friday. Rescue teams have recovered 688 bodies during that period. In the broader conflict, at least 71,409 Palestinians have been killed and 171,304 wounded since Israel's military campaign in Gaza began in October 2023.
Hamas ready for complete withdrawal from Gaza governmental scene: official
Hamas ready for complete withdrawal from Gaza governmental scene: official
