Test flight and fall
On December 3, during a test launch from a pad in the Gobi Desert, the first stage of the Zhuque-3 rocket experienced an "anomalous burn." As a result, it failed to reach the planned landing site and fell instead of making a successful return.
Technical data and LandSpace plans
The Zhuque-3 is a 66-meter rocket developed by the private company LandSpace. The first stage was intended to be reusable and to return after ascent, but this time it failed to do so. The company said the flight provided important engineering data that will help prepare subsequent tests.
In China, several private firms are competing in the development of reusable launch vehicles, including Space Pioneer and iSpace. LandSpace earlier became the first company in the country to launch a methane-fueled rocket in 2023.
In September, a U.S. Space Force spokesperson said that successful reusable launches could accelerate the deployment of new capabilities in orbit for China.
Separately, it was noted that recently the company of Amazon's founder landed the New Glenn rocket for the first time and sent a NASA mission to Mars, and NASA plans to develop a nuclear reactor for the Moon by 2030.
