China has successfully recovered a rocket first stage on land for the first time, marking a significant technological milestone for the nation’s commercial aerospace sector, according to the Xinhua state news agency. The Zhuque-3 launch vehicle, developed by the private aerospace company LandSpace, executed a vertical touchdown within a designated landing zone after lifting off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
LandSpace Zhuque-3 Inland Touchdown Details
The Zhuque-3 mission lifted off at 7:35 a.m. local time from the Jiuquan facility, according to Xinhua. During the flight, the vehicle’s first stage successfully navigated back to a targeted ground site and touched down using deployable landing legs. Meanwhile, the second stage continued its flight to place the Honghu-03 satellite into a predetermined orbit, as reported by Xinhua.
This inland vertical landing represents a major shift from previous recovery methods tested by China’s aerospace programs. Industry analysts note that developing reusable rockets with precise landing capabilities supports the rapid expansion of China’s low Earth orbit satellite constellations, according to sector experts cited in industry reports.
Comparing Chinese Rocket Recovery Milestones
The LandSpace milestone follows prior recovery attempts by other Chinese aerospace programs using alternative methods. In July, China successfully recovered a rocket first stage using a maritime platform, according to Xinhua. During that previous mission, the booster stage of a Long March-10B rocket was caught mid-air by a net system stretched across a sea-based platform, contrasting with the deployable leg landing utilized by LandSpace.
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Technical Specifications of the Zhuque-3
The Zhuque-3 is a two-stage medium-to-heavy lift launch vehicle designed specifically for high-frequency and high-capacity flight operations, according to technical disclosures from LandSpace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What company developed the Zhuque-3 rocket?
The Zhuque-3 was developed by LandSpace, a Chinese private aerospace company.
Where did the Zhuque-3 first stage land?
The first stage landed on land at a designated landing area near the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, according to Xinhua.
What propellants does the Zhuque-3 use?
The two-stage rocket is powered by liquid oxygen and methane.
How does this recovery differ from the July Long March-10B mission?
While the Zhuque-3 used deployable landing legs for an inland vertical touchdown, the July Long March-10B test utilized a net system on a maritime platform to catch the booster.
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