China recovers rocket stage on land for first time, after earlier recovery at sea
LandSpace said the recovery is China’s first on land and a major step toward reusable rockets that could cut launch costs, with reuse planned within six months.
- On Wednesday, China successfully launched the Zhuque-3 Y-2 rocket from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Pilot Zone, recovering the first stage on land in Minqin County, Gansu Province, marking a milestone for the nation's space program.
- Rocket developer LandSpace utilized deployable landing legs for the mission, representing China's first successful land recovery of a reusable launch vehicle following a July sea platform recovery.
- Engineering teams optimized the landing propulsion system by reducing engine usage and enhanced the onboard autonomous flight safety system to improve return-control strategies during the vehicle's high-speed atmospheric re-entry.
- While SpaceX and Blue Origin have recovered rockets since 2015, China's achievement positions the nation to reduce launch costs; Xinhua News Agency deemed the result "a major breakthrough in the country's reusable rocket technology."
- LandSpace confirmed the operation established a solid foundation for subsequent inspection, maintenance, and commercial applications of reusable launch vehicles, advancing the nation's long-term space ambitions.
170 Articles
170 Articles
LandSpace lands reusable Zhuque-3 rocket in first for private Chinese company
SpaceX could face formidable new competition in the space launch market after China’s LandSpace successfully landed the first stage of its Zhuque-3 rocket, becoming the first private Chinese company to recover an orbital-class booster using the same method as SpaceX’s reusable Falcon 9 rocket. The Zhuque-3 lifted off from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Pilot Zone in northwestern China at 07:35 local time on August 19, 2026. After separ…
Xi’s 1,900-satellite web tracks US navy from space? Big breakthrough gives chinese military new edge
China has achieved a major reusable-rocket milestone that could reshape its military competition with the United States in space. LandSpace recovered the first stage of its Zhuque-3 rocket on land, adding a second recovery method after China previously caught a booster with a net at sea. Beyond cheaper and faster launches, the breakthrough could help Beijing rapidly expand military satellite constellations. China already operates roughly 1,900 s…
China successfully lands a rocket, Strikes in Ukraine threaten wheat exports, Denmark deprioritizes data center power
China wants to reduce, reuse, and recycle — rocketsChinese aerospace company LandSpace successfully recovered the first stage of a rocket on land for the first time on Wednesday, marking a major step toward reusable rockets. Reusability is crucial in the growing space race because it can dramatically reduce the cost of putting satellites into orbit. Until now, only two private companies — Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin — had succ…
For the first time, a Chinese aerospace company managed to land the bottom of a rocket that had arrived in space, reported the state press, an important step towards reaching companies from the United States, such as Elon Musk's SpaceX, and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin. SpaceX: Nasa discloses images of the new moon crater formed by Musk's rocket collision A rival for Musk's SpaceX? European Exploration Company is preparing to raise $300 million, says…
The Register
technewstube.comChina marches towards re-usable rockets with successful first-stage landing
Chinese space startup LandSpace has landed a first-stage booster on land, the first time a Middle Kingdom company has achieved the feat. LandSpace flies rockets called Zhuque and has built three generations of the craft. Zhuque-1 only flew once, in 2018. Zhuque-2 became the first liquid oxygen-methane vehicle to reach orbit when it first flew in 2022. It can can carry 6,000 kilograms to a 200km low Earth orbit or 4,000kg to a 600km Sun-synchrono…
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