China's Zhuque-3 Reusable Flight Test

Описание: China's Zhuque-3 Reusable Flight Test, led by private space company LandSpace, is an important step toward developing reusable rockets in China. In January 2024, LandSpace conducted the first successful vertical takeoff and landing (VTVL) test of the Zhuque-3 in the Gobi Desert. During this test, the rocket ascended to around 350 meters, hovered, and then landed with an accuracy of approximately 2.4 meters from its launch point. This validated several technologies essential for reusable rockets, including precision landing guidance and variable-thrust control.

The Zhuque-3, scheduled for its first full orbital launch in 2025, is a stainless steel, two-stage, methane-liquid oxygen rocket. This design aims to be highly reusable, reducing launch costs significantly by allowing the first stage to be reused up to 20 times. The rocket also uses the Tianque-12B engine, which has been extensively tested for endurance and reusability. By refining these reusable rocket technologies, LandSpace and other Chinese companies are aligning their launch capabilities with global advancements in commercial space, akin to those of SpaceX.

Video credit: Landspace/ CCTV