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China's LandSpace fails to complete reusable rocket test
- On Wednesday, Beijing-based LandSpace launched its Zhuque-3 rocket from a remote desert launch site, reaching orbit but its first-stage booster failed to return and crashed during recovery.
- After a decade of growth, LandSpace has pursued reusable rockets because its ambitions drew Elon Musk’s public comment in recent months, while Zhang Changwu acknowledged China lags behind SpaceX.
- Company statements said a first-stage engine anomaly prevented a soft touchdown, LandSpace will review the test, and Blaine Curcio called the attempt `upwards of 90% successful` despite an earlier failed booster landing attempt.
- Even without a perfect landing, the result placed LandSpace at the head of Chinese firms developing reusable rockets and supports Tiangong missions from 2026, the company said.
- Globally, reusability remains central as SpaceX's model underpins the industry, Blue Origin completed New Glenn first-stage landing last month, and Elon Musk predicted it could take over 5 years to match Falcon 9 levels of reliability.
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A Chinese reusable booster explodes in historic first orbital test — highlighting challenge to chase SpaceX
A private Chinese space firm successfully sent its Zhuque-3 rocket to orbit but failed in its historic attempt to re-land the rocket booster Wednesday – the first such trial by a Chinese firm as the country’s growing commercial space sector races to catch up with American rivals like SpaceX.
·Atlanta, United States
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Channel News Asia+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
China's LandSpace fails to complete reusable rocket test
A Chinese reusable orbital rocket, if successfully brought to market, would accelerate Beijing's growth in space, allowing for a quicker cadence of missions and lower launch costs.
·Singapore
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources17
Leaning Left3Leaning Right2Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution38% Left, 37% Center
Bias Distribution
- 38% of the sources lean Left, 37% of the sources are Center
38% Left
L 38%
C 37%
R 25%
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