A significant milestone was achieved by Landspace, a Chinese launch startup, with the successful completion of a static fire test for its Zhuque-3 rocket on Friday. The test, conducted at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, saw the nine engines of the rocket's first stage ignite for 45 seconds, generating 7,542 kN of thrust. This encompassed gimbal control testing and a planned shutdown. The test's success provides a strong foundation for the upcoming orbital launch of the Zhuque-3, furthering China's advancements in reusable launch vehicle technology, according to Landspace's statement.
This multi-engine test is a crucial step in China's pursuit of reusable launch capabilities. However, reaching orbit, ensuring safe recovery, and demonstrating reusability remain significant challenges ahead. The inaugural Zhuque-3 orbital launch, initially scheduled for the third quarter of 2025, will carry a prototype reusable Haolong cargo spacecraft, designed by the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute under AVIC. This is part of a larger program aimed at providing cost-effective cargo delivery to the Tiangong space station. While Landspace celebrated the static fire test, a specific launch timeframe was not provided.
The rocket used in Friday's test is identical to the one planned for the inaugural Zhuque-3 flight. It included the full ground-based launch sequence, from propellant loading to engine ignition, steady-state operation, and programmed shutdown. The Zhuque-3 boasts a liftoff weight of about 570 metric tons and a length of approximately 66 meters (previously reported as 76.6 meters), hinting at potentially reduced payload capacity for early launches. Landspace previously indicated that the two-stage Zhuque-3 will have a liftoff mass of around 660 tons, propelled by nine Tianque-12B engines (an upgrade from the TQ-12A engines used in the static fire). Its payload capacity to LEO is projected to be 21,000 kilograms when expendable, or up to 18,300 kg with first-stage recovery downrange, or 12,500 kg to LEO when returning to the launch site.
This static fire test follows a similar one by CAS Space for its Kinetica-2 launcher, also anticipating its maiden flight in the coming months with a prototype cargo spacecraft. Space Pioneer is also preparing for its first stage static fire, a year after its previous unsuccessful attempt. These launches are just a few of many planned in China for 2025. Landspace, one of the first private launch companies to emerge after China opened up parts of its space sector in late 2014, has a history marked by both successes and setbacks. Its previous Zhuque-1 launch failed in 2018. However, its Zhuque-2, using a methane-liquid oxygen propellant mix, successfully reached orbit in July 2023, with an upgraded version flying last month. The company secured $123 million in funding from China’s National Manufacturing Transformation and Upgrading Fund in December 2024 to support its ambitious rocket program.