18 August 2026 Zhuque-3 rocket launched from the Jiuquan Cosmodrome. Across
2 minutes after the start of the degree split. The first stage performed a controlled descent
and a vertical fit for approx 390 km from the starting point in Gansu province. The second stage put the Honghu satellite into orbit 03, manufactured by affiliated company Hongqing Technology.
For reference: Hongqing Technology is an aerospace company, founded in 2017 year. It specializes in the development and production of satellites and the construction of satellite factories.
The Zhuque-3 is a two-stage missile made of stainless steel with a dia 4,5 m and the starting mass is about 570 tons. The first stage is equipped with nine methane and liquid oxygen engines. The payload for low Earth orbit is up to 21 000 Kg (no return) or to 18 300 Kg
(with the return of the first degree).
This is the second successful return of an orbital first stage in China and the third in the world (after SpaceX and Blue Origin) with landing on supports. After a failed landing attempt during its debut launch, the company implemented a number of technical improvements: reduced the number of engines during the landing pulse, added landing point prediction and improved thermal protection.
Landspace stated, that the mission moves the company from the re-entry technology validation phase to the re-usability engineering validation phase and lays the groundwork for further commercial flights. Expected, that the rocket will support the creation of the Chinese megaconstellations Guowang and Thousand Sails.
For reference: Guowang і Thousand Sails (also known as Qianfan or Thousand Sails) are two large-scale state and commercial projects of China to create low-orbit satellite Internet mega-constellations. They are being developed as a direct geopolitical and technological alternative to the American Starlink network from SpaceX.
Jeremiah: https://spacenews.com