First Zhuque-3 reaches orbit, but booster landing fails
Posted: Sat, Dec 6, 2025, 9:40 AM ET (1440 GMT)
China’s Zhuque-3 rocket achieved orbit in its first launch late Tuesday but the booster failed to make a landing. The first Zhuque-3 lifted off at around 11:02 p.m. Eastern from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The Falcon 9-class rocket, developed by Landspace, achieved orbit, although the company did not disclose what payload, if any, was on board. The company attempted a landing of the first stage on a pad 390 kilometers downrange from the launch site, but the booster appeared to malfunction when starting its landing burn and instead crashed near the pad. The mission is a milestone for Chinese spaceflight, marking the country’s first attempt at recovery of a stage from an orbital launch, a key capability needed for more frequent and less expensive launches. Another Chinese rocket with a reusable first stage, the Long March 12A, could attempt its first launch and landing attempt later this month.
China’s Zhuque-3 rocket achieved orbit in its first launch late Tuesday but the booster failed to make a landing. The first Zhuque-3 lifted off at around 11:02 p.m. Eastern from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The Falcon 9-class rocket, developed by Landspace, achieved orbit, although the company did not disclose what payload, if any, was on board. The company attempted a landing of the first stage on a pad 390 kilometers downrange from the launch site, but the booster appeared to malfunction when starting its landing burn and instead crashed near the pad. The mission is a milestone for Chinese spaceflight, marking the country’s first attempt at recovery of a stage from an orbital launch, a key capability needed for more frequent and less expensive launches. Another Chinese rocket with a reusable first stage, the Long March 12A, could attempt its first launch and landing attempt later this month.
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