China’s Astronstone raises $29 million for reusable rocket with chopstick-style recovery
Astronstone, a Chinese commercial launch startup, has raised $29 million in new funding to advance development of its AS‑1 reusable rocket and a novel vertical recovery system known as a chopstick‑style catch, according to reporting on March 24, 2026. The investment comes as the company positions itself within a rapidly expanding private launch sector in China that is increasingly focused on reusable propulsion and cost‑efficient orbital access. Astronstone plans to apply the capital toward finalizing design work, ground testing and prototyping for its first orbital‑class vehicle as it works toward an initial flight demonstration.
The AS‑1 launch vehicle is envisioned as a liquid‑propellant, partially reusable rocket built from stainless steel, echoing material trends seen in other high‑performance launch designs. Its chopstick‑style recovery system uses large mechanical capture arms mounted on a ground tower to catch the returning first stage after reentry, a recovery approach intended to reduce mass and launch turnaround time compared with conventional landing legs or ocean splashdowns. Recent renders and investor commentary suggest Astronstone’s rocket architecture will combine methane and oxygen propellants with a thrust configuration designed to support a range of mission profiles to low Earth orbit.
Astronstone’s funding round arrives amid broader momentum in China’s commercial launch landscape, where multiple private firms are pursuing reusable technologies and high flight rates to serve satellite constellation deployment and national space ambitions. Companies such as Space Pioneer, Deep Blue Aerospace and LandSpace are also developing next‑generation launch systems and hypersonic test vehicles, reflecting a strategic emphasis on lowering launch costs and enhancing domestic capabilities. Chinese regulatory shifts have enabled increased private participation, aligning national policy with industrial growth in reusable rocket research and manufacturing.
