Zhuque-3 reusable rocket completes first successful booster landing
LandSpace’s Zhuque-3 (ZQ-3) reusable rocket successfully reached orbit and landed its first stage during a test flight from China’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The rocket lifted off from the commercial launch zone in the Gobi Desert at 7:35 p.m. local time on August 19, 2026, or 11:35 a.m. EDT.
Powered by nine methane-fueled engines, the 216-foot-tall (66-meter) Zhuque-3 flew southeast from Jiuquan while its upper stage continued the mission to deploy a satellite into orbit. The rocket’s stainless-steel first stage then began its planned return to Earth.
The reusable booster traveled to the edge of space before maneuvering toward a designated landing zone approximately 240 miles (390 kilometers) from the launch site. It completed a powered touchdown using four retractable landing legs, marking a major milestone for China’s commercial launch industry.
Mission success: The Zhuque-3 Y2 reusable rocket achieved orbit insertion and successfully recovered its first stage.
On August 19, 2026, at 07:35 (UTC+8), the ZhuQue-3 (ZQ-3) Y2 reusable rocket was launched from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Pilot Zone. pic.twitter.com/fshijOxgtc
— Land Space (@LandSpace_Tech) August 19, 2026
“This mission marks China’s first successful attempt to recover the first stage of an orbital-class rocket using landing gear, as well as the country’s first successful land-based booster recovery,” LandSpace said in a statement. “This is a critical flight test for Zhuque-3 as it moves from the technology demonstration and validation stage to the engineering application stage of rocket reusability.”
LandSpace made several changes to the Zhuque-3 after the rocket’s first booster crash-landed in December. Engineers revised the landing sequence so that only one engine operates during the final stages of descent and upgraded the rocket’s heat shield to better withstand the intense conditions of atmospheric reentry.
“This mission lays a solid foundation for the next stages, including post-recovery inspection and maintenance, reuse flights, and commercial applications,” LandSpace said.
According to Dai Zheng, project manager for Zhuque-3, the first stage completed a high-altitude glide before igniting its engine for reentry deceleration. The booster then used aerodynamic control during descent before conducting a final landing burn.
“The final braking operation was executed superbly, achieving a soft landing and realizing the original design goal of a ‘one-shot reverse parking’ operation while moving at high speed,” Dai told Chinese state television.
“Our team will immediately begin testing the recovered first-stage booster,” Dai added. “We will collect status data and perform maintenance and overhaul. Once that work is complete, we will return the booster to service for another flight as soon as possible.”
Source: arstechnica.com