Chinese aerospace company LandSpace has successfully completed a land-based recovery test for its Zhuque-3 (ZQ-3) reusable rocket program.
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Mao Ning announced the development, stating that the Zhuque-3 Y2 rocket completed the country’s first land-based recovery. The test is intended to pave the way for both sea and land-based reusable rocket operations, aiming to lower overall launch costs.
Historic breakthrough: Zhuque-3 Y2 rocket completes China’s first land-based recovery, paving the way for reusable rockets—both on the sea and on land—and lower costs. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/ws1OLj1TpJ
— Mao Ning 毛宁 (@SpoxCHN_MaoNing) August 19, 2026
The ZQ-3 is China’s first reusable steel carrier rocket, initially unveiled in December 2023. Prior to this milestone, LandSpace conducted preliminary vertical takeoff and vertical landing (VTVL) tests using a liquid oxygen, methane-propelled test rocket at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
According to the company, the first stage of the ZQ-3 rocket is designed to be reused at least 20 times. LandSpace estimates this capability could reduce launch costs by 80 to 90 percent compared to regular carrier rockets.
The ZQ-3 rocket is scheduled to conduct its maiden commercial flight in 2025. The development comes as multiple Chinese private aerospace firms, including iSpace and CAS Space, continue to conduct vertical recovery tests to advance the country’s reusable spaceflight capabilities.