This Chinese company could become the country’s first to land a reusable rocket, but it’s not alone in the race. LandSpace, a Beijing-based startup, is about to launch the Zhuque-3, a medium-lift rocket that could revolutionize China’s space industry. But it’s not just LandSpace; several other companies are also vying for the title of China’s first reusable rocket landing.
LandSpace’s Zhuque-3: A Clone of SpaceX’s Falcon 9?
At first glance, the Zhuque-3 looks like a clone of SpaceX’s Falcon 9. Both rockets feature nine engines, deployable landing legs, and grid fins. But LandSpace has added its own unique touches, like using methane fuel and stainless steel for the primary structure, setting it apart from SpaceX’s kerosene-fueled Falcon 9.
A Race to the Finish Line
LandSpace is just one of several Chinese rocket startups maturing, and the race to launch and land an orbital-class rocket is heating up. The company has already raised over $400 million from venture capital firms and government-backed investment funds, allowing it to develop its own liquid-fueled engines and the smaller Zhuque-2 rocket, which became the world’s first methane-burning launcher to reach orbit in 2023.
China’s Need for Reusable Rockets
China needs reusable rockets to keep up with the US launch industry, dominated by SpaceX. Without reusable rockets, China has launched less than half as often as the US this year, and no single rocket type has flown more than 13 times. SpaceX’s Falcon 9, on the other hand, has been responsible for 153 of 182 US launches.
The Challenge of Landing a Reusable Rocket
Landing a reusable rocket is no easy feat. It took Blue Origin, a much larger enterprise backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, two tries to land its New Glenn booster on a floating barge. SpaceX achieved its first successful landing after many more attempts, and now has over 500 landings under its belt.
China’s Reusable Rocket Pioneers
LandSpace is not the only company working on reusable rockets. Other Chinese companies, like Space Pioneer, CAS Space, Galactic Energy, and i-Space, are also developing their own small- to medium-class rockets with reusable boosters. Some of these companies, like Space Pioneer, have faced challenges, but they are making progress.
The Future of China’s Reusable Rockets
China’s largest rocket developer, the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, is not as close to fielding a reusable launcher, but it has far greater ambitions. The academy is working on a pair of super-heavy rockets, including the Long March 10 and the fully reusable Long March 9, similar in scale to SpaceX’s Starship.
The Race is On
The race to become China’s first reusable rocket landing is on, and several companies are in the running. LandSpace’s Zhuque-3 is a strong contender, but it’s not the only one. The future of China’s space industry hangs in the balance, and the world will be watching to see who comes out on top.
