Another Chinese company has achieved a major milestone in the global push for reusable rocket technology. The Zhuque-3 (ZQ-3), developed by Land Space, successfully completed its orbital insertion and first-stage recovery on Tuesday, August 19, 2026.

The 216-foot-tall rocket lifted off from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Pilot Zone at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 7:35 pm EDT. Powered by nine methane-fueled engines, the rocket ascended southeast before the upper stage placed a satellite into orbit. The stainless steel first stage then executed a propulsive landing on four extendable legs approximately 240 miles downrange.

Land Space declared the mission a total success, marking China's first-ever successful recovery of an orbital-class launch vehicle's first stage using landing legs and the country's first land-based booster recovery. This achievement follows a December crash landing that prompted engineering upgrades, including single-engine landing burns and improved heat shields.

Dai Zheng, head of the Zhuque-3 project, described the final braking maneuver as a successful 'one-shot reverse-parking' execution. The recovered booster will undergo inspection and maintenance before being prepared for future reuse flights.