China’s Landspace recovers booster with second orbital launch of Zhuque-3 rocket

Live updates

1. 25d ago

   Landspace Targets Six-Month Turnaround for Recovered Zhuque-3 Booster

   Chinese commercial launch firm Landspace plans to refly the first stage of its Zhuque-3 rocket within six months. This follows a successful vertical landing on August 18. The company previously demonstrated reusable technology with a sea recovery, but this latest mission achieved a land-based recovery. Landspace now joins SpaceX and Blue Origin as entities capable of demonstrating reusable rocket technology.

   Why it matters

   Reusable boosters reduce the cost of orbital access by eliminating the need to build a new first stage for every mission. Landspace is competing in a global market where vertical landing is the primary method for recovering hardware.

   What is confirmed

   • Landspace successfully performed a vertical landing of the Zhuque-3 first stage on August 18.
   • The company aims to refly the recovered Zhuque-3 booster within six months.

   What to watch next

   • Confirmation of the specific reflight date for the Zhuque-3 booster
   • Technical reports on the condition of the recovered first stage
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. arstechnica.com — Rocket Report: SpaceX makes its mark on the Moon; ULA names new boss
   2. eGamers.io — A Falcon 9 stage gouged a 60-foot crater into the Moon — and ULA finally has a new chief
   3. spacenews.com — Landspace aims to refly recovered Zhuque-3 booster within six months
   4. consent.yahoo.com — SpaceX stock down for week following share unlock, big rocket news from China
   5. www.indiatimes.com — What’s buzzing on Gen Z’s feed today? Angelique Kidjo gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; PV Sindhu falls to Wang Zhi Yi & more
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2. 27d ago

   China's Landspace recovers Zhuque-3 rocket booster on second orbital launch

   China's Landspace successfully recovered a rocket booster on its second orbital launch of the Zhuque-3 rocket, marking a milestone in reusable technology. The launch and recovery occurred on Thursday, 20 August 2026. Landspace joins SpaceX and Blue Origin in demonstrating reusable rocket technology. The Zhuque-3 rocket's booster was recovered on land, following an earlier recovery at sea.

   Why it matters

   Reusable rocket technology is a significant advancement in space exploration, allowing for cost savings and more efficient launches. Landspace's achievement demonstrates China's growing capabilities in the space sector. The successful recovery of the Zhuque-3 rocket's booster highlights the progress made by private Chinese companies in developing reusable rockets.

   What is confirmed

   • China's Landspace recovered a rocket booster on its second orbital launch of the Zhuque-3 rocket.
   • Landspace joins SpaceX and Blue Origin in demonstrating reusable rocket technology.
   • The Zhuque-3 rocket's booster was recovered on land.

   What to watch next

   • Future launches of Zhuque-3 rocket
   • Development of reusable technology by other Chinese companies
   • Potential applications of reusable rockets in China's space program
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. Space — Touchdown! Private Chinese rocket aces landing on 2nd-ever flight
   2. SpaceNews — China’s Landspace recovers booster with second orbital launch of Zhuque-3 rocket
   3. Reuters — China's LandSpace lands rocket booster; joins SpaceX, Blue Origin with reusable tech
   4. NBC News — China recovers rocket stage on land for first time, after earlier recovery at sea
   5. South China Morning Post — China’s LandSpace beats SpaceX with steel-booster recovery after orbital launch
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