Did China's Zhuque-3 rocket successfully land its booster?

No, the Zhuque-3 rocket's first stage booster failed to achieve a soft landing during its first re-landing attempt on December 3, 2025.

What is LandSpace's goal with reusable rocket technology?

LandSpace aims to significantly reduce rocket launch costs and improve efficiency to compete globally and help China become a strong aerospace nation.

How does China's commercial space sector compare to SpaceX?

China's commercial space sector, including LandSpace, is working to catch up to SpaceX's advancements in reusable rocket technology.

Home / Technology / China Rocket's Landing Test Fails, But Shows Promise

China Rocket's Landing Test Fails, But Shows Promise

3 Dec

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Summary

A Chinese private firm's rocket booster crashed during its first re-landing attempt.
The Zhuque-3 rocket successfully reached orbit before the landing failure.
The company vows to review the anomaly and continue developing reusable technology.

China Rocket's Landing Test Fails, But Shows Promise

LandSpace, a prominent Chinese private space firm, achieved orbit with its Zhuque-3 rocket on Wednesday but experienced a failure during the first stage booster's re-landing attempt. The booster crashed, preventing a soft landing on the designated recovery pad, with debris landing near the recovery area. The company announced a comprehensive review would be conducted to advance reusable rocket technology for future missions.

This trial, though unsuccessful in landing, signifies China's advancing commercial space sector and its race to catch up with global leaders like SpaceX. Reusable rockets are crucial for lowering launch expenses and increasing launch frequency, vital for building satellite networks and future space travel. This technology also offers strategic advantages in the growing linkage between space and military power.