Chinese company LandSpace lands Zhuque-3 booster after orbital flight

Chinese launch provider LandSpace completed the second flight of its Zhuque-3 methalox rocket on August 19, lifting off from the Gobi Desert. Following stage separation, the first-stage booster returned to Earth and made a controlled touchdown on landing legs.

The landing marks the first time a commercial Chinese company has successfully recovered an orbital-class rocket booster. The milestone brings LandSpace closer to introducing a fully reusable launch capability.