Zhuque-3 Y2: China’s Reusable Rocket Lands Booster
Why in the news
Private Chinese firm LandSpace flew Zhuque-3 Y2, delivered a satellite to orbit and brought the first stage back to a controlled landing.
About Zhuque-3
- Maker: LandSpace, a Beijing-based private company.
- Type: partly reusable orbital rocket with two stages, for mid-to-heavy payloads.
- Build and fuel: stainless-steel structure; methalox (liquid oxygen and methane).
- Recovery: VTVL, landing upright on its own engines.
- Aim: lower launch cost by reusing the costly first stage, enabling frequent, cheap launches of Low Earth Orbit internet constellations.
Reusable launchers worldwide
| Country or agency | Programmes |
|---|---|
| United States | Falcon 9 and Heavy, Starship, New Shepard, New Glenn |
| China | Zhuque-3, Long March-10B |
| India | RLV-LEX and RLV-TD |
| Europe (ESA) | Themis |
| Japan (JAXA) | CALLISTO |
Exam angle
- Payload: Honghu-03 satellite.
- Landing site: Gansu Province.
- Key term: VTVL.