The Zhuque-3 Y2 Reusable Launch Vehicle

Context: Beijing-based LandSpace launched its Zhuque-3 Y2, placing the Honghu-03 satellite into orbit and successfully soft-landing the reusable first stage in Gansu Province.

About The Zhuque-3 Y2 Reusable Launch Vehicle:

What It Is?

• Zhuque-3 (ZQ-3) is a two-stage, medium-to-heavy, partially reusable orbital launch vehicle manufactured with a stainless-steel structural frame and propelled entirely by liquid oxygen-methane (methalox). Developed by the private Chinese firm LandSpace, it is engineered for vertical takeoff and vertical landing (VTVL) booster recovery.

Aim: To drastically reduce space transportation and orbital delivery costs by recovering and reusing the expensive first stage multiple times, thereby enabling high-frequency, low-cost deployments of large Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite internet constellations.

Key Features of Zhuque-3:

• Methalox Propulsion System: The first stage is powered by nine Tianque-12A liquid oxygen-methane engines, generating over 760 tons of liftoff thrust; methane burns cleanly without significant soot buildup, facilitating faster turnaround and engine re-ignition.
• Stainless-Steel Airframe: Constructed from high-strength stainless steel rather than conventional aluminum-lithium alloys, providing superior high/low temperature tolerance, structural resilience during atmospheric re-entry, and lower manufacturing costs.
• Dimensions & Lift Capacity: Stands at a total length of 66.1 metres with a 4.5-metre diameter and a liftoff mass of approximately 570 tons, capable of hauling up to 14.2–18.3 tons to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in expendable mode and sizable payloads in reusable mode.
• Active Recovery & Grid-Fin Guidance: Utilizes aerodynamically steerable grid fins, reaction control thrusters, and autonomous trajectory safety algorithms to guide the booster through supersonic retro-propulsion, touching down on four deployable landing legs.
• Dual-Track Industry Milestones: Represents the second major recovery milestone in China following the state-owned Long March-10B sea-based recovery, demonstrating China’s parallel development model across state-backed and private commercial enterprises.