Home / Technology / China's private space race: Rocket booster lands!
China's private space race: Rocket booster lands!
19 Aug
Summary
- First private Chinese company to land an orbital-class booster.
- Joins SpaceX and Blue Origin in reusable rocket technology.
- Zhuque-3 rocket is China's answer to SpaceX's Falcon 9.
Chinese startup LandSpace achieved a major breakthrough on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, by successfully recovering the first stage of its Zhuque-3 rocket. This historic landing makes LandSpace the first private Chinese company to achieve this critical step in reusable rocket technology.
By successfully recovering an orbital-class booster, LandSpace now joins the ranks of elite private aerospace developers, including SpaceX and Blue Origin. This achievement signifies a considerable advancement for China's private space sector.
The Zhuque-3 rocket, constructed from stainless steel, is designed as China's competitive response to SpaceX's Falcon 9. This successful recovery demonstrates the growing capabilities of Chinese private enterprise in the global reusable rocket market.
