China launched the reusable Zhuque-3 Y2 rocket on Wednesday morning, achieving its first recovery of a rocket’s first stage on land. The rocket blasted off from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone in northwest China.
The launcher’s second stage sent the Honghu-03 satellite into a preset orbit.
The first stage recovery site is located in Minqin County of Gansu Province in northwest China. The central target zone makes use of specialized fire-resistant cement.
Zhuque-3 has been developed by Chinese commercial aerospace company LandSpace. The vehicle is approved by the China National Space Administration as a new-generation liquid oxygen-methane-powered rocket for low-cost, high-capacity and high-frequency launches.
First stage landing zone
The land-based recovery of the rocket’s first stage is roughly 240 miles (390 kilometers) away from the launching site. The recovery site is a 60-by-60-meter square concrete pad surrounded by desert, away from populated areas and key infrastructure.
“The recovery site is not just a place for the rocket to land, but a key infrastructure supporting the entire reusable rocket system,” said Dai Zheng, chief commander of the Zhuque-3 rocket at LandSpace. “It will handle post-landing propellant disposal, landing leg removal, and the tilting and transportation of the rocket for subsequent reuse.”
Two rocket recovery sites have been built up in the region, both now completed and ready for operations.
Go to this China Central Television (CCTV) video at:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1592974642186045
Also, go to these impressive videos posted by CNSpaceflight at:
https://x.com/CNSpaceflight/status/2090066570756362357/video/1
https://x.com/CNSpaceflight/status/2089950963335631088/video/1
https://x.com/CNSpaceflight/status/2089951085679284291/video/1
https://x.com/CNSpaceflight/status/2089950701153820912/video/1