The highly anticipated Zhuque-3 carrier rocket was launched today. According to reports, on December 3, the Zhuque-3 Y1 rocket lifted off from the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Test Zone, successfully completing its flight mission, with the second stage entering the intended orbit.
The mission also included a first-stage recovery test, but an abnormal combustion occurred during the process, preventing a soft landing at the recovery site. The recovery test failed, and the specific cause is under further investigation. Although the primary recovery goal was not achieved, the mission validated the correctness and feasibility of the Zhuque-3’s testing, launch, and flight procedures, as well as the compatibility of system interfaces. Critical engineering data from the actual flight were obtained, laying a solid foundation for future launch services and reusable stage recovery.
The development team will conduct a comprehensive review and technical analysis to identify the cause of the failure, optimize the recovery plan, and continue reusable verification in subsequent missions. The Zhuque-3, developed by LandSpace, is a next-generation, low-cost, high-capacity, high-frequency reusable liquid oxygen-methane rocket. It features a stainless-steel main structure and is powered by LandSpace’s self-developed Tianque series liquid oxygen-methane engines. The first stage is equipped with a reaction control system, grid fins, and landing legs, enabling vertical return and reuse after orbital launch.
The Zhuque-3’s maiden flight drew significant market attention. A successful launch and recovery would mark a milestone for China’s aerospace industry, making it the second country after the U.S. to master reusable rocket technology. LandSpace would become the third company globally, after SpaceX and Blue Origin, to achieve first-stage recovery.
On November 28, LandSpace announced media coverage plans for the mission. However, on November 29, its media partner, "Aerospace Dream," withdrew, casting uncertainty over the launch timeline. A video from "Aerospace Dream" hinted at an unfinished recovery site, stating, "The answer to who will be the world’s third remains unclear for now."
Earlier, on November 13, Blue Origin successfully launched and recovered the first stage of its New Glenn rocket, becoming the second commercial aerospace company after SpaceX to achieve orbital rocket recovery. The Zhuque-3, leading China’s reusable rocket development, previously caught Elon Musk’s attention. In October, Musk commented on social media that Zhuque-3 and other domestic reusable rockets, incorporating Starship-like features such as stainless steel and methane oxidizer, could surpass the Falcon 9. He added that, if all goes well, Zhuque-3 might exceed Falcon within five years, by which time SpaceX would have begun launching Starship.
According to LandSpace, the Zhuque-3 is 76.6 meters long with a 5.2-meter-diameter fairing. It uses nine TQ-12B engines in the first stage and one TQ-15B vacuum engine in the second. With a 4.5-meter-diameter stainless-steel structure, it has a takeoff mass of 570 tons and thrust exceeding 750 tons. Its payload capacity is 21.3 tons to low Earth orbit (LEO) for expendable missions, 18.3 tons for recovery missions, and 12.5 tons for return-to-site recovery. The first stage is designed for up to 20 reuses.
The Zhuque-3 project was officially launched in August 2023, completing a 100-meter vertical takeoff and landing test five months later. In September last year, it achieved a 10-kilometer test, a critical milestone for recovery and reuse.
The maiden flight was divided into two phases: static fire tests and orbital launch with first-stage recovery attempts. The mission tested full procedures, including horizontal transport, cryogenic propellant loading, integrated testing, nine-engine ignition, and propellant venting, validating the launch process and system compatibility.
Founded in 2015, LandSpace is among China’s earliest commercial aerospace firms. It began IPO preparations in July and has raised funds up to Series E, with a valuation exceeding RMB 20 billion. Besides Zhuque-3, other reusable rockets under development in China include the Long March 12A and Hyperbola-3.
The Long March 12A, developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), has not disclosed detailed progress on its reusable version. In June 2024, SAST completed a 10-kilometer vertical takeoff and landing test, laying the groundwork for a 4-meter reusable rocket debut in 2025.
Hyperbola-3, developed by iSpace, China’s first private firm to achieve orbital launch, has completed detailed design and is undergoing production and testing. It is scheduled for its maiden flight and sea recovery by late 2025, with reuse flights in 2026. Compared to Zhuque-3, Hyperbola-3 has a 4.2-meter diameter and a payload capacity of 14 tons (expendable) or 8.5 tons (recovered).
China’s commercial aerospace sector continues steady growth. On November 25, the National Space Administration released a three-year action plan (2025–2027) to integrate commercial aerospace into national development, aiming for a robust ecosystem and expanded industry scale by 2027. Recently, the administration established a dedicated office for commercial aerospace, signaling enhanced regulatory support and industry growth prospects.