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LandSpace's Zhuque-3 first stage lands on ground after orbital launch
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LandSpace launched a Zhuque-3 rocket that placed a satellite in orbit and then successfully returned its first stage to a landing zone in northern China.
Engineers see this landing as proof that a Chinese private firm can recover a large booster, a step toward lowering launch expenses through reuse. The achievement adds LandSpace to the short list of entities that have demonstrated first-stage return, indicating growing competition in reusable launch technology.
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LandSpace's Zhuque-3 first stage performed a powered descent and landed on four legs after separating from the second stage.
The rocket placed a satellite into orbit before the booster returned, confirming that launch and recovery can occur in a single flight.
LandSpace states the booster is designed for up to 20 flights, though re-use of a flown stage has not yet been demonstrated.
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