China’s commercial rocket firm LandSpace has taken a significant step forward in space exploration. On Friday, the company successfully conducted a crucial ground ignition test of the first-stage propulsion system for its reusable Zhuque-3 rocket.
The test, which took place at the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone near the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, featured the largest and most automated nine-engine parallel cluster hot-fire test ever conducted in China, according to LandSpace.
“This test achieved an exceptionally high degree of fidelity to actual flight conditions and replicated exactly how the system will fly in space,” the company said in a press release.
The comprehensive trial simulated the entire pre-launch and flight sequence, covering propellant loading, tank pressurization, sequential engine ignition, sustained stable operation, and programmed shutdown procedures.
The 45-second test was powered by nine self-developed liquid oxygen-methane engines, generating a total thrust of 7,542 kilonewtons (kN). This milestone validates the compatibility between all major subsystems—including engines, pressurization and delivery systems, structures, and avionics—and confirms the rocket’s rational design.
The Zhuque-3 rocket, measuring approximately 66 meters in length with a diameter of 4.5 meters, is designed for reusability, with its first stage capable of being reused at least 20 times. It can launch multiple satellites simultaneously, including flat stackable satellites.
Constructed with high-strength stainless steel tanks, the Zhuque-3 has the potential to reduce launch costs by 80 to 90 percent compared to single-use rockets. After recovery, its first-stage engine can be checked without separation and can fly again after refueling, much like an airplane.
This successful test propels the Zhuque-3 rocket toward its planned debut flight in 2025, marking a significant advancement in China’s commercial space capabilities.
