LandSpace Becomes China's First Aerospace Company to Recover A Launch Vehicle’s First-Stage Booster On Land And Using Landing Legs
On 19th August 2026, at 07:35 (UTC+8), the ZhuQue-3 (ZQ-3) Y2 reusable launch vehicle lifted off from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Pilot Zone. Approximately 137 seconds after lift-off, the first and second stages separated. The second stage continued its flight and successfully delivered the Honghu 03 satellite, independently developed by Hongqing Technology, into its designated orbit. At approximately 07:41, the first stage performed a successful soft touchdown at the LandSpace Landing Site#1 in Minqin County, Gansu Province, following the planned trajectory — marking the full success of the flight test mission.
This mission marks China's first-ever successful recovery attempt of the first stage of an orbital-class launch vehicle using landing legs, and China's first successful booster recovery on land.
ZhuQue-3 is LandSpace's independently developed new-generation reusable LOX–methane launch vehicle, with reusability built into its overall design, propulsion system, return control, stainless steel vehicle structure manufacturing, and ground support.
ZhuQue-3 is also China's second VTVL reusable orbital-class launch vehicle to recover its first-stage booster, following the 10th July 2026 Long March 10B mission.
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