Zhuque-3
LandSpace's stainless-steel, methane-fueled rocket with a first stage built to land and fly again. Its payload capacity, about 18 tonnes to low orbit, is close to SpaceX's Falcon 9.
Why it matters
Reusable boosters are what cut SpaceX's launch costs. LandSpace recovered a Zhuque-3 first stage on the rocket's second flight in August 2026, a step toward cheaper launches for China's large satellite internet constellations.
How the technology works
Nine Tianque-12A engines burning liquid methane and liquid oxygen power the first stage, and the second stage is expendable. After separation the first stage reenters, fires its engines for a landing burn and touches down in a recovery zone.
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction