🚀 Today, on December 3, 2025, the Chinese mainland’s reusable Zhuque-3 Y1 rocket lifted off from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone and nailed its target orbit. This milestone marks LandSpace’s first successful flight with its new-generation LOX–methane carrier, proving reusability isn’t just hype.
Designed for low-cost, high-capacity and high-frequency missions, Zhuque-3 features a two-stage, single-core layout with 4.5-meter diameter stages and a 5.2-meter fairing, standing tall at 66.1 meters. Its liquid oxygen–methane combo cuts costs and boosts performance, making each launch more eco-friendly and wallet-friendly.
Why it matters? 🌏 For South and Southeast Asia, cheaper launch options mean more satellites for better connectivity—from remote Nepali villages to Indonesian islands. LandSpace’s success paves the way for regional startups, climate monitoring and even space tourism dreams!
What’s next? Keep an eye on LandSpace’s follow-up launches as they refine reusability and ramp up flight cadence. The space race is heating up, and Zhuque-3 is lighting the trail. Stay tuned! 🔥
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
