Chinese commercial rocket company LandSpace recovered the stainless-steel first-stage booster of its Zhuque-3 rocket after an orbital launch [1, 2].
The achievement marks a significant step in reducing the cost of space access. By successfully retrieving the booster, LandSpace aims to compete with global leaders like SpaceX in the development of reusable launch technology [1, 4].
The recovery took place July 10, 2026 [3, 5] at a launch site located in the Gobi Desert [2]. The Zhuque-3, also known as the ZQ-3 [2], is constructed from stainless steel [1]. This material choice is central to the company's strategy to advance lower-cost, reusable hardware [1, 4].
LandSpace has achieved a milestone as the first commercial Chinese rocket to both reach orbit and have its first stage recovered [1]. This capability allows the company to potentially refurbish and fly the same hardware multiple times, a process that significantly lowers the price per kilogram for satellite deployment.
Reports on the event differ regarding its place in China's broader aerospace history. Some sources said it was the country's first reusable booster recovery [3]. However, other reports said it is the second orbital rocket in China to demonstrate first-stage recovery, following a net capture of the Long March-10B in July [6].
The Gobi Desert facility served as the testing ground for this orbital demonstration [2]. The successful return of the ZQ-3 booster suggests that LandSpace has mastered the complex guidance and propulsion sequences required to bring a heavy steel cylinder back to a designated landing zone after leaving the atmosphere.
“The Zhuque-3 is the first commercial Chinese rocket to both reach orbit and have its first stage recovered.”
The successful recovery of the Zhuque-3 booster signals that China's private space sector is rapidly closing the technical gap with US commercial entities. While state-run programs have long dominated Chinese aerospace, the emergence of reusable, stainless-steel technology from a commercial firm like LandSpace suggests a shift toward a more competitive, cost-efficient launch market within the region.
