LandSpace Successfully Tests Zhuque-3 Vertical Takeoff and Landing Craft

LandSpace, a commercial rocket company based in China, completed a 10km vertical takeoff and landing jump test on Wednesday as it continues its steps toward launching the Zhuque-3 (ZQ-3) reusable rocket. Notably, the rocket has a stainless steel structure.

The craft took flight from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. The flight lasted 200.7 seconds and was the first time an in-flight ignition during the descent stage has been successfully tested in China.

The rocket engine was shut down for 113 seconds after liftoff was complete, allowing the rocket to coast to its highest point over 10km above the ground. There, it glided for 40 seconds before the engine reignited at 4.64km and achieved a soft landing just 3.2km from the original launch pad.

“The test involves multiple engine starts and propellant management – which are the key technologies for us,” said Yuan Yu, Strategy Director at Landscape.

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The steel design, powered by oxygen and methane, is similar to the Zhuque-3 rocket that LandSpace is currently developing. 

This single-stage test rocket has an 80-tonne-class liquid oxygen and methane engine, the Tianque-12, and has been verified in multiple flights already. LandSpace is aiming to produce a reusable launch craft with low cost that can carry out many a high frequency of flights and they have already complete a 100M VTVL test back in January.

The same launch centre was the home for the country’s first ever test of a reusable rocket, this one developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). The rocket was powered by three variable-thrust liquid oxygen-methane engines and ascended to approximately 12km successfully during the flight.

Deep Blue Aerospace and Interstellar Glory are companies that have also conducted VTVL flight tests for their reusable rockets in development. 

LandSpace may be a private company to watch in the future. The company is “dedicated to developing a fully reusable launch vehicle system with the aim of enhancing humanity’s access to space.” according to Zhang Changwu, Founder and CEO.