China to Develop Its Own Starship-Like Spacecraft

China is developing its own version of SpaceX's Starship, the Long March 9, which was unveiled at the China Air Show. The Long March 9 will feature a fully reusable design similar to Starship, with maneuver-enhancing flaps and powered by 30 YF-215 engines using liquid oxygen and methane. It is expected to launch in 2033, while Starship has already conducted multiple test flights and is set to support NASA's Artemis 3 mission in 2025. The Long March 9's design may still change, as China has previously altered its rocket plans.