China's LandSpace Prepares for Zhuque-3 Rocket Tests in 2026

Chinese private aerospace company LandSpace has announced plans to conduct a recovery test of its Zhuque-3 reusable rocket in the second quarter of 2026. This test is part of LandSpace's broader strategy to establish itself as a leader in the commercial space sector and innovate in the field of aerospace.

The company has generated considerable public interest owing to its technological advancements. As reported by Xinhua News Agency, LandSpace successfully launched the Zhuque-3 on December 3, where the rocket's second stage successfully entered its designated orbit, although the recovery of the first stage did not achieve the desired outcome.

At a recent meeting with the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, LandSpace representatives announced improvements to the landing process while sharing their intention to conduct another recovery test in mid-2026. Depending on the success of this upcoming test, the company aims to attempt its first recovery and reuse flight in the final quarter of the year, as conveyed through their official WeChat account.

A company spokesperson confirmed this launch strategy to Global Times, noting that the rocket set for the upcoming test retains the same configuration as the December version but has undergone refinements based on mission data.

If the second-quarter recovery test yields positive results, the recovered first stage will be utilized in the planned reuse flight later in the year, according to the representative.

In a December interview, Dong Kai, the deputy chief designer of the Zhuque-3 rocket, expressed optimism that the rocket would achieve successful recovery by the middle of 2026, with ambitions to fully implement its configuration within the same year.

Following these developments, the company's R&D will focus on decreasing launch cycles and enhancing launch frequency, as indicated by Dong.

The Zhuque-3 is an innovative domestically developed rocket that is powered by liquid oxygen and methane, and it is engineered for cost-effective, high-capacity, and frequent launches.

According to statements made by the company, the Zhuque-3 is designed to be reused at least 20 times, emphasizing its potential for significantly reducing launch costs.

The ultimate vision for the Zhuque-3 involves lowering China's rocket launch costs from around 100,000 yuan, approximately 13,928 US dollars, per kilogram to roughly 20,000 yuan per kilogram.

China's progress in reusable rocket technology continues to advance, exemplified by the successful maritime recovery of a Long March-10 rocket booster earlier this year. This achievement marks a significant leap in the country's capabilities in reusable launch vehicles.

Industry experts predict that significant milestones in China's commercial space sector may occur this year, including the initiation of commercial operations for low-Earth orbit constellations. The development of reusable launch technology, along with the necessary infrastructure, is seen as crucial to unlocking the commercial potential of this burgeoning sector.