China Lands Rocket Booster on Land for First Time
LandSpace successfully recovered the first stage of its Zhuque-3 rocket on legs in Gansu, China, marking a significant milestone. This achievement positions the Chinese startup alongside global leaders SpaceX and Blue Origin in reusable rocket technology, narrowing the gap with the US.
The booster touched down safely after launching a satellite from Jiuquan, one of China’s main launch centers. [^1]
This marks the first time China has recovered a rocket booster on land, following a similar recovery at sea last month. [^2]
Why Landing a Booster Matters
Reusing a rocket’s first stage is crucial for reducing space launch costs. It moves us towards more frequent and affordable launches, similar to the evolution of civil aviation.
Zhuque-3: China’s Answer to SpaceX’s Falcon 9
LandSpace’s Zhuque-3 stands at 66.1 meters tall with a stainless steel first stage equipped with nine engines. It utilizes a methane and liquid oxygen propulsion system, offering potential environmental benefits over kerosene-based systems. The rocket can carry 14.2 metric tons to low Earth orbit.
A Fourth Attempt
Wednesday’s successful landing was LandSpace’s second attempt at recovering the Zhuque-3. China has had four overall attempts at recovering orbital boosters, with varying degrees of success.
Past Attempts:
- December 2025: First reusable rocket test, reaching orbit but failing controlled landing.
- July 2026: State-developed Long March 12A reached orbit and failed recovery.
- July 2026: Long March 10B used a net and hooks for sea-based booster retrieval.
Future Plans
LandSpace aims to reuse recovered first stages within six months, with a goal of up to 20 flights per booster, setting the stage for more frequent and affordable space launches.
[^1]: Source: Xinhua, cited by Bloomberg.
[^2]: Previous recovery was at sea using a net on a floating platform.