China Advances Reusable Rockets and Megaconstellation Ambitions

Chinese space firms and government initiatives push forward with reusable launchers and satellite constellations to rival SpaceX's Starlink.

Chinese private companies are developing at least seven reusable rockets, with launches planned for 2025 to support low-Earth orbit satellite deployments.
Space Pioneer's Tianlong-3 rocket, a two-stage reusable launcher, is leading the private sector's efforts, featuring advanced technologies like 3D-printed engines and liquid nitrogen pressurization.
LandSpace's Zhuque-3, another reusable rocket, aims to achieve both orbital insertion and first-stage recovery during its maiden flight next year.
China's Long March-8A, an upgraded government rocket, is set to launch in January, designed to support large-scale satellite constellations with higher payload capacities.
China is rolling out its Guowang megaconstellation, aiming to deploy nearly 13,000 satellites to provide global internet coverage and compete with SpaceX's Starlink.