3 December 2025 year Fr. 04:00 (UTC) From Juzuan Cosmond, China is a Chinese company LandSpace conducted a demonstration launch of its new reusable rocket «Zhuque-3».
The launch of a reusable rocket was planned 28 November, however, due to strong wind, the flight was postponed several times, but 29 Chinese media reported in November, that the ground team stopped training, without specifying a new date. However, already 3 December 2025 In 2018, information appeared about the successful launch of a rocket from the Landspace site in the Dongfeng Innovation Test Commercial Zone, which is part of the Jiuquan National Cosmodrome.
According to its characteristics Zhuque-3 approximately corresponds to the well-known Falcon rocket 9 SpaceX. It has a two-stage design, its body is made of stainless steel. The height of the rocket is 66 city, diameter - 4,5 city, mass in the filled state - 570 tons. The second stage successfully reached orbit, but the attempt to land the first ended in failure. Judging by the video from social networks, an explosion occurred when the engines were restarted. As a result, the stage engulfed in flames fell onto the landing pad. The return test failed, the cause of the accident is currently under investigation.
This mission became an important milestone for Chinese cosmonautics: for the first time in the country, an attempt was made to return the degree after the orbital launch. The flight shows, that China came very close to obtaining the key technology, which will significantly reduce the cost of launches and ensure a high frequency of commercial launches. Successful flight paves the way for Landspace to begin mass satellite launches for Chinese mega-constellations, and also provides valuable data and experience for future degree recovery efforts.
Test flight Zhuque-3 became China's 77th orbital launch in 2025 year. China's prime government contractor prepares to debut its new Long March 12A reusable rocket at Jiuquan Spaceport. Its first orbital launch with a landing attempt could take place in December.
Lanjian Kongjian Keji YG, «Blue Arrow Space Tech Co.», in English also known as LandSpace Technology was founded in 2015 year by graduates of Tsinghua University Zhang Changwu. The company specializes in the development of new-generation launch vehicles and is considered one of the pioneers of Chinese commercial rocketry. LandSpace gained wide popularity after the creation of a series of carriers Zhuque, and also became the first private company in the world, which successfully launched a methane-fueled orbital rocket (Zhuque-2 у 2023 year).
LandSpace is actively developing reusability technologies and is currently focusing on the modernization of the heavy methane rocket Zhuque-3, which is to become the first fully private Falcon competitor 9 in the Chinese market. The company is also building its own test facilities and logistics infrastructure, gradually becoming one of the key players in China's rapidly growing space industry.
According to the CCS