China's Zhuque-3 Reusable Rocket Passes Key Test

China's commercial rocket SQX-2Y undergoes a test flight at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, northwest China, on December 10, 2023. This photo is used as an illustration of China's reusable rocket development, including LandSpace's Zhuque-3. Photo: i-Space/Xinhua

China is getting serious about pursuing a reusable rocket market. Private space company LandSpace said it had successfully completed a static fire test of the Zhuque-3 rocket, one of a new generation of launch vehicles being prepared to carry large numbers of satellites.

Anadolu Agency, quoted Thursday, July 2, reported that the test was carried out on Monday in the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone, Gobi Desert, northwest China. LandSpace said the entire system worked normally. Coordination between the ground system and the rocket also met the expected standards.

Static fire testing is a ground test of a rocket engine without launching the rocket. This stage is important to ensure that the engine, fuel, and control systems work before the rocket actually flies.

Zhuque-3 is a reusable rocket, or a reusable rocket. The first stage booster is designed to return to Earth, land vertically, then be reused. This model is key to reducing launch costs and increasing flight frequency.

The methane-fueled rocket is prepared for orbit missions and the deployment of large-scale satellites. In disposable mode, Zhuque-3 is expected to be able to carry a payload of up to 11.8 metric tons to low Earth orbit.

Zhuque-3 had its maiden flight in December 2025 and successfully reached orbit. However, the first stage booster failed to be recovered during landing due to an anomaly.

The rocket is expected to support China's national internet satellite constellation, Guowang, as well as other large-scale orbital networks.

China is also developing several other reusable rockets. Among them are the country's Long March-12A and the private company Space Pioneer's Tianlong-3. All of these are part of China's efforts to expand the capacity of commercial space launches.

In the space industry, reusable rockets are considered increasingly important to meet the demand for megaconstellations of satellites and reduce the cost of access to space.