This article summarizes reporting by Xinhua. Read the original reporting for full context.

LandSpace Zhuque-3 Reach Orbit on Maiden Flight, Narrowly Misses Recovery

On December 3, 2025, the Chinese private aerospace firm LandSpace conducted the Maiden-Flight of its Zhuque-3 (ZQ-3) carrier rocket. According to reporting by Xinhua, the mission achieved a partial success: the vehicle successfully delivered its payload into the designated orbit, marking a significant step forward for China’s commercial space sector. However, the attempt to recover the reusable first-stage booster ended in a crash during the final landing phase.

The flight, which took place at the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Pilot Zone in northwest China, represents the country’s most advanced attempt to date to develop a fully reusable orbital-class rocket comparable to the SpaceX Falcon 9. While the primary objective of orbital insertion was met, the loss of the booster highlights the persistent challenges of vertical recovery technology.

Mission Overview and Outcome

The Zhuque-3 lifted off at approximately 12:00 PM local time. Xinhua reports that the rocket performed normally during the ascent, with the second stage separating correctly and entering the preset orbit. The payload for this test flight was a mass simulator designed to verify the rocket’s carrying capacity.

The Landing Anomaly

Following stage separation, the first-stage booster initiated a series of automated maneuvers intended to guide it back to a landing pad roughly 300 kilometers downrange in Minqin County. According to official statements from LandSpace, the booster successfully completed its boost-back and re-entry burns.

However, the recovery attempt failed in the final moments. Data indicates that the booster suffered “anomalous combustion” during its final vertical landing burn. Consequently, the vehicle could not achieve a soft touchdown and crashed near the designated recovery site. Despite the loss of the hardware, LandSpace emphasized that the mission provided critical flight data to refine future guidance and control algorithms.

Technical Architecture: China’s Answer to Stainless Steel Reusability

The Zhuque-3 is distinct in the Chinese market for its choice of materials and propellant, mirroring the architectural philosophy of SpaceX’s Starship. The vehicle is constructed from high-strength stainless steel, chosen for its durability and resistance to the extreme heat of atmospheric re-entry.

Propulsion and Specs

According to technical specifications released by LandSpace, the rocket stands approximately 66 meters (217 feet) tall with a diameter of 4.5 meters. It is powered by liquid oxygen-methane (methalox) engines, a fuel choice that burns cleaner than traditional kerosene, significantly reducing soot buildup and facilitating easier engine reuse.

• First Stage: Powered by nine Tianque-12A (TQ-12A) engines.
• Second Stage: Equipped with one TQ-15A vacuum engine.
• Capacity: The rocket is designed to lift approximately 21.3 metric tons to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in expendable mode, or roughly 18.3 metric tons when the first stage is recovered downrange.

AirPro News Analysis

The Strategic Push for Reusability

While the landing failure is a setback, the successful orbital insertion of a methane-fueled, stainless-steel rocket places LandSpace at the forefront of China’s commercial space industry. In our view, this mission underscores the “fail-fast, learn-fast” methodology that has accelerated commercial spaceflight development globally.

The drive toward reusability is not merely technical but economic. With China planning strictly regulated mega-constellations, such as the Guowang and G60 Starlink networks, the demand for launch cadence is set to skyrocket. A reusable fleet is essential to reducing the cost per kilogram to orbit, allowing Chinese firms to compete directly with western launch providers. The Zhuque-3 is positioned to be a workhorse for these future deployments.

Future Outlook

LandSpace has indicated that it will investigate the specific cause of the landing anomaly before scheduling the next flight. Industry experts anticipate that future missions will likely carry commercial satellites while continuing to test first-stage recovery. Furthermore, the Zhuque-3 architecture is slated to eventually support the launch of the Haolong cargo shuttle, intended to service the Tiangong space station.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Zhuque-3?

The Zhuque-3 is a reusable, liquid oxygen-methane carrier rocket developed by the Chinese private company LandSpace. It is designed to lower launch costs through first-stage recovery.

Was the mission a total failure?

No. The mission was a partial success. The rocket successfully reached orbit and deployed its payload. The failure was limited to the experimental recovery of the first-stage booster.

Why use stainless steel?

Stainless steel is used for its high strength, heat resistance, and lower cost compared to carbon fiber or aluminum-lithium alloys, making it ideal for reusable vehicles that face repeated re-entry heating.

Sources

• Xinhua
• LandSpace Official Statements (via industry reporting)