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Zhuque-3 | Honghu-03

LandSpace · Zhuque-3

The launch vehicle successfully inserted its payload(s) into the target orbit(s).

Launch window 23:27–00:04 UTC.

The mission

Note: Second test launch of LandSpace’s ZQ-3 rocket and first ever successful orbital launch vehicle booster recovery by a Chinese private launch service provider. Prototype LEO communication satellite for LandSpace's subsidiary Hongqing Technology.

Vehicle and site

Rocket

Zhuque-3

Family

Zhuque

Mission

Honghu-03

Mission type

Communications

Pad

Launch Area 96B

Location

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Coordinates

40.9202°, 100.2513°

Zhuque-3 (ZQ-3) is a reusable orbital launch vehicle developed by Chinese private company LandSpace. The rocket is built using stainless steel and shares the same series of gas generator cycle methane/liquid oxygen powered rocket engines as in the currently active ZQ-2E rocket. The first stage uses 9 TQ-12 engines (initially the TQ-12A, then upgraded TQ-12B) while the second stage uses 1 TQ-15 engine (TQ-15A, then TQ-15B). On launch missions where the first stage is recovered, it will land on a down-range landing pad located in Minqin County, Gansu Province.

LandSpace

LandSpace is a Chinese private space launch company based in Beijing. It was founded in 2015 by Tsinghua University alumni Zhang Changwu.

Launches to date

11

Successful

8

Failed

3

Consecutive successes

4

Schedule from Launch Library 2, rebuilt hourly. Dates slip: a time given to the minute is a target, not a promise, and this page reflects the schedule as it stood at the last build. All upcoming launches.