History in the making! 🚀 China launched the reusable rocket Zhuque-3 on Wednesday morning, achieving its first recovery of a rocket's first stage on land. #SpaceTech# #Zhuque3#

ZhuQue-2E Y6 Launch Mission Recap “Long as the journey is, we will reach our destination if we stay the course; difficult as the task is, we will get the job done if we keep working at it.” — Xunzi, Exhortation to Self-Cultivation

LandSpace's 'Zhuque-3': Zhuque (朱雀) is a mythical bird from ancient Chinese cosmology. It is one of the "Four Symbols" (along with the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise 青龙、白虎、朱雀、玄武 ) and represents the south, fire, and the summer season. It's often seen as a guardian spirit, bringing good fortune. Chinese space missions frequently borrow names from mythology/history (like Shenzhou 神舟 "Divine Vessel" or Chang'e 嫦娥 the Moon Goddess).

Historic breakthrough: Zhuque-3 Y2 rocket completes China’s first land-based recovery, paving the way for reusable rockets—both on the sea and on land—and lower costs. 🚀

UPDATE | ZhuQue-3 Y2 Reusable Launch Vehicle Completed Static Fire Test On June 29, 2026, LandSpace’s ZhuQue-3 Y2 reusable launch vehicle successfully completed a static fire test at the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Pilot Zone. The test comprehensively verified the vehicle system, the ground support system, and the compatibility between them. All systems operated normally, and test data and results met expectations, validating the correctness and coordination of system operations and laying a solid foundation for upcoming flight missions. All key pre-launch ground verification work for the ZhuQue-3 Y2 reusable launch vehicle has now been completed. The team will proceed with launch preparations according to the established plan, making full preparations for the flight mission.

For the team behind LandSpace's Zhuque-3 reusable rocket, the recent successful land recovery of the rocket's first stage was just the opening act. The real challenge lies ahead: building a comprehensive inspection and reuse system from scratch, one that can turn a recovered booster into a reliable, multi-flight workhorse.