This is John Batchel, a conversation with Rick Fisher of the International Assessment and Strategy Center

about China revealing its plans for Long March 9, Long March 10, the two big boosters that it hopes to make it to the moon.

Long March 9 is significant in that it is reusable.

Rick here introduces us to an innovation, a twist, a complication, a challenge for that reusability by the Chinese authorities.

Noting, of course, the Long March 10 is also heavy lift, but not at this time reusable.

Long March 9 and the barge, the barge that is part of the innovation and the protocol for Long

March 9 and how it compares to the chopsticks of Starship and SpaceX.

More of this always, but later tonight.

Rick Fisher.

Okay, at the Zhuhai Air Show that was held last week, John,

the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation revealed how it will be capturing the reusable first

stage of both Long March 9 and Long March 10. It will use a barge that has a four-post capture

device. The first stage will maneuver to land in the middle of the four posts, and then cables

will emerge from two sides of the structure and capture the first stage.

Now, the barge can be maneuvering to catch the first stage while the first stage is aiming for the barge. This is the Chinese innovation.