{"id":254746,"date":"2025-11-10T11:11:04","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T11:11:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/254746\/"},"modified":"2025-11-10T11:11:04","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T11:11:04","slug":"chinas-reusable-rocket-zhuque-3-to-make-maiden-flight-this-year-company","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/254746\/","title":{"rendered":"China\u2019s reusable rocket Zhuque-3 to make maiden flight this year: company"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Zhuque-3<\/p>\n

Zhuque-3 reusable rocket. Photo: courtesy of LandSpace<\/p>\n

China\u2019s reusable rocket Zhuque-3 will make its maiden flight this year, the Global Times learned from the vehicle\u2019s developer LandSpace, a leading Chinese commercial space company, on Monday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In October, the reusable rocket has successfully completed its fueling rehearsal and static ignition test<\/a>, marking an entry into the critical preparation phase for its maiden flight.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Before this, no reusable rocket in China has ever completed a launch mission, which means Zhuque-3 is expected to become the country\u2019s first operational reusable launch vehicle, stcn.com reported.<\/p>\n

According to LandSpace, the developer, the Zhuque-3 maiden flight test mission will be divided into two phases.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The first phase involves fueling rehearsals and static ignition tests, followed by a return to the technical area for inspection and maintenance. The second phase focuses on achieving orbital launch as the primary mission objective, while simultaneously attempting first-stage recovery.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Zhuque-3 is a large-capacity, low-cost, reusable liquid launch vehicle independently developed by China for large-scale constellation deployment tasks, per the CCTV.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It uses stainless steel as the primary structural material for the rocket body. The rocket’s first and second stages have a diameter of 4.5 meters, with a payload fairing diameter of 5.2 meters. The total length of the rocket is 66.1 meters, with a takeoff mass of approximately 570 tons and a takeoff thrust exceeding 750 tons.\u00a0<\/p>\n

After performing orbital launch missions, the rocket can autonomously return with high precision, achieve a soft landing at the recovery site and be reused.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf China achieves a breakthrough in this field [of rocket recovery], it will signify immense strategic value and global competitiveness in reducing the cost of space access, accelerating low-orbit constellation deployment, increasing launch frequency and enhancing industrial capabilities. This is not merely a technological leap for a single rocket model but a critical step toward entering the era of \u2018large-scale space transportation,\u2019\u201d a LandSpace spokesperson told the Global Times in October.<\/p>\n

Global Times
\n<\/p>\n

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