China’s First Reusable Rocket Test Fires Engines in Preparations for Its Debuts Flight (Video)

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October 22, 2025

LandSpace‘s Reusable Rocket Nears Launch After accomplished Test

Beijing – A notable milestone was reached in China’s private space program as LandSpace successfully completed a static fire test of its Zhuque-3 rocket on Monday, October 20th, 2025. This pivotal test brings the company closer to achieving its goal of launching a fully reusable rocket, a feat currently dominated by industry leader spacex.

Static Fire Test Signals Progress

The static fire, a routine pre-launch procedure where the rocket engines are ignited while securely anchored to the launchpad, concluded the initial three-day phase of preparations for the zhuque-3’s inaugural flight.LandSpace confirmed the successful completion of the test fueling process, which preceded the static fire, both conducted at the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Pilot zone in northwestern China.

LandSpace conducts a static fire test with its reusable Zhuque-3 rocket on October 20, 2025. (Image credit: Landspace)

Zhuque-3: A New Contender in Reusable Rocketry

The Zhuque-3 rocket bears a striking resemblance to SpaceX’s Falcon 9, featuring a reusable first stage designed for multiple flights and a single-use upper stage. Both rockets employ nine engines; though, the Zhuque-3 utilizes LandSpace’s independently developed Tianque-12A engines, powered by liquid methane and liquid oxygen. This differs from the Falcon 9’s Merlin engines, which run on LOX and rocket-grade kerosene, although SpaceX’s next-generation Starship also leverages the LOX and liquid methane combination.

Did You know? Liquid methane offers several advantages as a rocket propellant, including higher performance and cleaner burning compared to kerosene.

Payload Capacity and Future Plans

The 217-foot-tall Zhuque-3 has a lift capacity of approximately 40,350 pounds (18,300 kilograms) to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This is comparable to the Falcon 9, which can deliver roughly 50,265 pounds (22,800 kg) to LEO.Following the static fire,LandSpace plans to proceed with a vertical integration rehearsal and subsequent inspections before the anticipated orbital launch and recovery of the first stage.

LandSpace’s Journey and Past Achievements

Founded in 2015, LandSpace has been steadily building its capabilities in the space sector. In July 2023, the company’s Zhuque-2 rocket became the first in China to successfully reach earth orbit using a LOX-methane engine. While the Zhuque-2 experienced a failure during its most recent launch in August, the four preceding launches were successful, demonstrating progress in the progress of this innovative technology.

Rocket	Company	Propellants	LEO Payload Capacity (approx.)	Reusable Stage
Zhuque-3	LandSpace	Liquid Methane & LOX	40,350 lbs (18,300 kg)	First Stage
Falcon 9	SpaceX	Kerosene & LOX	50,265 lbs (22,800 kg)	First Stage

The Growing field of Reusable Rockets

The pursuit of reusable rocket technology is driven by the potential to significantly reduce the cost of space access. By recovering and reusing the most expensive component of a rocket – the first stage – companies can lower launch costs and increase the frequency of space missions. This innovation is pivotal for expanding space exploration, satellite deployment, and future space-based infrastructure.The shift to methane-based fuels is also gaining traction due to potential cost savings and environmental benefits compared to conventional kerosene-based fuels.

Pro Tip: Monitoring advancements in reusable rocket technology is vital for anyone interested in the future of space travel and commercial space developments.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Zhuque-3

• What is the Zhuque-3 rocket? The Zhuque-3 is a reusable rocket developed by the Chinese company LandSpace, designed to transport payloads to Low Earth Orbit.
• What makes the Zhuque-3 different from other rockets? The Zhuque-3 utilizes liquid methane and liquid oxygen as propellants,setting it apart from rockets like the Falcon 9,which primarily uses kerosene.
• What is a static fire test? A static fire test involves firing the rocket’s engines while it is firmly secured to the ground, verifying engine performance before launch.
• Is the Zhuque-3 fully reusable? Currently, only the first stage of the Zhuque-3 is designed for reusability.
• What is LandSpace’s overall goal? landspace aims to become a leading provider of affordable and reliable space launch services thru reusable rocket technology.
• When is the Zhuque-3’s debut launch expected? LandSpace anticipates the Zhuque-3’s first orbital launch will occur before the end of 2025.
• how does the Zhuque-3 compare to SpaceX’s Falcon 9? The Zhuque-3 has a comparable payload capacity to the Falcon 9 and, like the Falcon 9, features a reusable first stage.

What are yoru thoughts on the increasing competition in the private space industry? Do you believe reusable rockets are the key to making space travel more accessible?

Share your comments below and join the conversation!

How will the Long March-8R’s methane-liquid oxygen engine impact China’s deep space exploration capabilities compared to traditional kerosene-based fuels?

China is rapidly advancing its space program, and a significant milestone was recently achieved with the successful engine test firing of its first fully reusable rocket. This progress signals a major leap forward in the nation’s ambitions for more affordable and frequent space access. The test,conducted in planning for the rocket’s inaugural flight,showcases China’s growing capabilities in reusable launch systems and its commitment to competing with industry leaders like SpaceX.

Understanding the Long March-8R Rocket

The rocket in question, designated the long March-8R, represents a departure from China’s traditional expendable launch vehicle approach. Key features of this new reusable rocket include:

* First Stage Reusability: The core stage is designed to return to Earth for a vertical landing, similar to SpaceX’s Falcon 9. This is the primary driver for reducing launch costs.

* Methane-Liquid Oxygen Engine: the Long March-8R utilizes a powerful methane-liquid oxygen engine,offering higher performance and cleaner burning compared to traditional kerosene-based fuels. This engine, the YF-109, is crucial for the rocket’s reusability and efficiency.

* increased Payload Capacity: While specifics vary, the Long March-8R is projected to deliver a considerable payload capacity to low Earth orbit (LEO), making it suitable for a wide range of missions.

* Modular Design: The rocket’s modular design allows for configuration adaptability, adapting to different mission requirements.

Recent Engine Test: A Critical Step

The recent engine test firing, confirmed by state media, involved a full-duration burn of the YF-109 engine. This test was vital for verifying the engine’s performance under realistic flight conditions and validating the recovery systems.

here’s what the test confirmed:

1. Engine Reliability: The YF-109 engine demonstrated stable and reliable operation throughout the test burn.
2. Thrust Vector Control: Precise control of the engine’s thrust vector was confirmed, essential for a controlled descent and landing.
3. Thermal Protection System: The test provided valuable data on the performance of the rocket’s thermal protection system during engine operation.
4. Landing Leg Deployment: Preliminary tests of the landing leg deployment mechanisms were also conducted.

The video footage released alongside the declaration showed a controlled burn, with flames erupting from the engine nozzle. Experts analyzing the footage noted the stability of the test and the apparent success of the recovery systems.

Implications for China’s Space program

The development of a reusable rocket has far-reaching implications for China’s space ambitions.

* Reduced Launch Costs: Reusability is the key to considerably lowering the cost of space access. This will make space exploration and commercial space activities more affordable.

* Increased Launch Cadence: Reusable rockets enable a faster turnaround time between launches,allowing for a higher launch cadence. this is crucial for supporting large-scale space infrastructure projects, like the Chinese Space Station.

* Competition in the Space Launch Market: China is aiming to become a major player in the global space launch market, and reusable rockets are essential for competing with established companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and others.

* Support for Deep Space Exploration: Lower launch costs and increased launch frequency will facilitate more enterprising deep space exploration missions,including lunar and Martian exploration.

Comparison with SpaceX’s Falcon 9

The Long March-8R is often compared to SpaceX’s Falcon 9, the current leader in reusable rocket technology. While both rockets share the goal of reusability, there are key differences:

Feature	Long March-8R	spacex Falcon 9
Fuel	Methane-Liquid Oxygen	Kerosene-Liquid Oxygen
Engine	YF-109	Merlin
Reusability Focus	First Stage	First Stage & Fairing (partial)
Development Stage	Initial Testing	Operational

The choice of methane-liquid oxygen fuel for the Long March-8R is a significant one. Methane offers several advantages, including higher performance and the potential for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) on Mars, where methane can be produced from the