LandSpace’s Zhuque-3 rocket soars but stumbles in China’s reusable space race
Chinese private space firm LandSpace achieved a major milestone this week with the successful launch of its Zhuque-3 rocket. The mission marked a step forward for the country’s growing commercial space industry, even though the rocket’s first stage failed to land safely. Industry observers called the attempt 'impressive' as the booster came down near its target zone.
The Zhuque-3 lifted off on Wednesday, reaching orbit as planned. However, the first stage crashed at the edge of the designated recovery area during its return attempt. Despite this setback, the close landing was noted as a technical accomplishment for LandSpace.
The company aims to develop reusable rocket technology to cut launch costs and speed up turnaround times. This aligns with China’s broader push to expand its space sector, which has seen rapid growth over the past decade. Multiple firms are now working on similar reusable systems, viewed as critical for both civilian and military applications.
LandSpace has set ambitious goals for the near future. From 2026, it plans to support China’s Tiangong Space Station with spacecraft launches. The firm’s founder, Zhang Changwu, is also set to collaborate with iSpace, another Chinese company, on station maneuvers starting that same year.
China’s leadership has made aerospace a national priority. President Xi Jinping has designated it a 'strategic emerging industry' for the country’s development. To support this, the national space authority recently created a new department to oversee and accelerate the commercial sector’s growth.
Elon Musk, however, has suggested that LandSpace will need more than five years to match SpaceX’s reliability and launch rates. The comment highlights the competitive landscape as China’s private space firms push to close the gap with established global players.
LandSpace’s latest launch demonstrates progress in China’s reusable rocket program, despite the landing failure. The company’s plans to serve the Tiangong Space Station from 2026 reflect its growing role in the country’s space ambitions. With government backing and increasing private sector investment, China’s commercial space industry continues to expand its capabilities.
