LandSpace Tests Reusable Rocket Prototype, Sets Sights on 2025 Orbit

The Chinese aerospace firm's Zhuque-3 rocket, similar in design to SpaceX's Starship, successfully completes a test flight, marking a significant step towards China's private space sector ambitions.

• Chinese aerospace firm, LandSpace, successfully tested its Zhuque-3 reusable rocket prototype, which reached an altitude of around 1,000 feet and landed within about 7 feet of its designated touchdown spot.
• The Zhuque-3 rocket, which is expected to reach orbit for the first time in 2025, will feature a payload capacity of 20 metric tons to low Earth orbit when expendable, and carry 16.5 metric tons for recovery missions.
• The rocket uses stainless steel propellant tanks and a high-thrust liquid oxygen-methane engine, similar to SpaceX's Starship rockets.
• LandSpace was one of the first private space companies to be founded in China and has been growing over the past 10 years after the Chinese government allowed investments to flow into spaceflight companies.
• In July 2023, LandSpace launched the world’s first methane-fueled rocket to orbit, beating SpaceX to it.

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