LandSpace's maiden Zhuque‑3 launcher placed its second stage into the designated orbit, but the reusable first‑stage experienced anomalous combustion during descent, appeared to catch fire and crashed near the planned recovery site, terminating the company's first orbital return attempt and marking a major test setback.
Discovered |
Briefing
The mission's second stage achieved the planned orbit while the first stage suffered anomalous combustion during recovery, appeared to catch fire, and crashed near the recovery zone — ending the vehicle's maiden return attempt and showing reuse remains a high‑risk technical hurdle.
The failed recovery is a material setback for China's private launcher push toward reusable orbital boosters; it comes after the company's final preparations for the Zhuque‑3 flight and amid rising investor activity in the sector, highlighted by funding rounds such as iSpace's Series D+.
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(DE) Zhuque-3: Reached orbit, landing failed • flugrevue.de
Landspace’s Zhuque-3 reaches orbit on debut but explodes during landing attempt • Satellite News Network
China’s Zhuque-3 Rocket Orbits Successfully, Explodes on Landing • webpronews.com
LandSpace’s reusable Zhuque-3 reaches orbit on debut; first-stage landing fails • weheadedtomars.com
China’s first Zhuque-3 reusable booster catches fire during recovery attempt; recovery fails • South China Morning Post
Ars Technica
• Stephen Clark