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Launch Vehicles
Vehicle family profile

Zhuque 3

朱雀三号

Family-level launch record combining canonical variants, historical missions, public cadence forecasts, and available payload performance specs.

LandSpaceActive
Admin
Variants
1
Canonical variants linked to this family.
Historical missions
1
Missions in the public mission table with actual launch dates.
Peak listed capacity
21,000 kg
Maximum payload capacity across listed variants and orbits.

Launch Cadence

Historical missions are grouped by actual launch year. Forecast cadence uses family-level launch-rate rows.

YearHistorical missionsForecast launches
202510
202602
202704
202806
202908
2030010
2031010
2032010
2033010
2034010
2035010
2036010
2037010
2038010
2039010
2040010
204101

Performance Specs

Payload capacity by variant and target orbit when structured capacity rows are available.

VariantOrbitCapacityAltitudeInclinationSource
Zhuque-3
LEO21,000 kgUnknownUnknownSpaceNews Zhuque-3 test flight report
Zhuque-3
LEO13,000 kg200 kmUnknownchinese_launch_vehicle_chart_normalized.xlsx (manual screenshot transcription; extraction date 2026-06-02 UTC)
Zhuque-3
LEO11,100 kg450 km

Recent Missions

Latest launched missions using variants in this family.

MissionVariantLaunch
Dummy payload
Zhuque-3
Dec 3, 2025

Forecasted Missions

Upcoming mission rows with announced launch timing.

MissionVariantAnnounced

No forecasted missions

No upcoming announced mission rows are linked to this vehicle family.

Variants

Canonical variants rolled up into this launch vehicle family.

VariantStagesMissionsStatus
Zhuque-3
Not stated1Active

Forecast Location Split

1 launch location represented.

YearLocationLaunchesConfidenceBasis
2026Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center235%Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.
2027Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center435%Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.
2028Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center640%Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.
2029Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center840%Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.
2030Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center1045%Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.
2031Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center1045%Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.
2032Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center1045%Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.
2033Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center1045%Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.
2034Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center1045%Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.
2035Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center1045%Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.
2036Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center1045%Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.
2037Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center1045%Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.
2038Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center1045%Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.
2039Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center1045%Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.
2040Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center1045%Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.
2041Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center125%Catalog-completeness placeholder for active Zhuque-3 family; not used by latest forecast capacity snapshot.
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
2026 · 35% confidence
2

Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
2027 · 35% confidence
4

Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
2028 · 40% confidence
6

Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
2029 · 40% confidence
8

Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
2030 · 45% confidence
10

Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
Unknown
chinese_launch_vehicle_chart_normalized.xlsx (manual screenshot transcription; extraction date 2026-06-02 UTC)
Zhuque-3
LEO9,400 kgUnknownUnknownchinese_launch_vehicle_chart_normalized.xlsx (manual screenshot transcription; extraction date 2026-06-02 UTC)
Zhuque-3
SSO5,400 kg800 kmUnknownchinese_launch_vehicle_chart_normalized.xlsx (manual screenshot transcription; extraction date 2026-06-02 UTC)
Track
2031 · 45% confidence
10

Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
2032 · 45% confidence
10

Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
2033 · 45% confidence
10

Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
2034 · 45% confidence
10

Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
2035 · 45% confidence
10

Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
2036 · 45% confidence
10

Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
2037 · 45% confidence
10

Manual 2026-06-06 review: Zhuque-3 is a reusable medium-lift family with published 2026 recovery/production plans; one launch per year is too low.

Mentions
333
All verified mentions of this launch vehicle family in source documents.
0.0-5.0
Actions

A possible launch schedule for Zhuque-3 is in mid-November.

PlanValue 2.0Oct 15, 2025Here it comes! LandSpace’s Zhuque-3 is on launch pad with land legs, it's the complete version. Possible launch schedule in mid-November. Source:https://m.weibo.cn/status/Q9cxfEHbT

The first flight model of Zhuque 3 arrived at Jiuquan on the specified date.

Plan
Page15of17
Value 3.0
Sep 13, 2025
R to @TAbusnardo: 1st flight model of Zhuque 3 arrived today at Jiuquan.

LandSpace’s full-flow staged-combustion engine may also support an upgraded variant of the partially reusable Zhuque-3.

CapabilityValue 4.0Sep 7, 2025International Cooperation Efforts and Agreements Move Forward

LandSpace’s new engine may also support an upgraded variant of the partially reusable Zhuque-3 launch vehicle.

CapabilityValue 3.2Sep 7, 2025International Cooperation Efforts and Agreements Move Forward

LandSpace is scheduled to debut the two-stage partially reusable Zhuque-3 rocket in the coming weeks, with the flight possibly occurring in September or November 2025.

PlanValue 4.0Sep 6, 2025LandSpace Discloses Cause of Zhuque-2E Failure

The Zhuque-3 second-stage will use the TQ-15A engine, which is also used on Zhuque-2E second-stage.

CapabilityValue 4.0Sep 6, 2025LandSpace Discloses Cause of Zhuque-2E Failure

The Zhuque-3 flight is targeted for either September or November 2025, with hardware described as almost ready to fly and possibly delayed due to the recent Zhuque-2E failure.

PlanGeneralCapabilityValue 3.6Sep 6, 2025LandSpace Discloses Cause of Zhuque-2E Failure

Medium-lift commercial launch vehicles, including Zhuque-3, Tianlong-3, and Ceres-2, are set to debut this year.

PlanValue 3.5Mar 16, 2025The Launch Bottleneck Holding up China's Starlink

The nine Tianque-12 engines for Zhuque-3's first stage had been produced as of 2025-01-01.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.0Jan 2, 2025China to debut new Long March and commercial rockets in 2025

Landspace plans to potentially launch the Haolong reusable cargo spacecraft on Zhuque-3 in 2026 as part of a low-cost cargo scheme promoted by China's human spaceflight agency.

PlanGeneralValue 3.8Jan 2, 2025China to debut new Long March and commercial rockets in 2025

The Zhuque-3 rocket will have a payload capacity to low Earth orbit of 21,000 kg when operated expendably.

CapabilityValue 4.6Dec 26, 2024China’s Landspace secures state-backed funding for reusable rockets

Landspace performed a 10-kilometer-altitude vertical liftoff and vertical landing test at Jiuquan spaceport in September for the larger stainless steel Zhuque-3 launcher.

PlanValue 4.0Dec 26, 2024China’s Landspace secures state-backed funding for reusable rockets

Landspace plans the first recovery and reuse of the Zhuque-3 first stage in 2026.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Dec 26, 2024China’s Landspace secures state-backed funding for reusable rockets

Landspace is developing the larger Zhuque-3 stainless steel reusable launcher and conducted a 10-kilometer-altitude launch and landing test in September 2024.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Nov 27, 2024Landspace puts 2 satellites in orbit with enhanced Zhuque-2 rocket

Landspace’s Zhuque-3 uses methalox propellant, has a payload capacity up to 21,000 kg to LEO, and is constructed from stainless steel with a first flight planned for 2025.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.8Nov 1, 2024Chinese launch startup Cosmoleap secures funding for rocket featuring chopstick recovery system

The Zhuque-3 VTVL-1 reached an altitude of 10,2 m during the 2024-09-11 test.

CapabilityValue 4.0Sep 11, 2024Landspace completes 10-kilometer reusable rocket test, eyes 2025 orbital launch

The Zhuque-3 VTVL-1 performed around 40 seconds of gliding descent after engine cutoff in the 2024-09-11 test.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.0Sep 11, 2024Landspace completes 10-kilometer reusable rocket test, eyes 2025 orbital launch

The Zhuque-3 will have a liftoff mass of about 660,000 kg and be powered by nine Tianque-12B engines.

CapabilityValue 4.6Sep 11, 2024Landspace completes 10-kilometer reusable rocket test, eyes 2025 orbital launch

The Zhuque-3 VTVL-1 reusable vertical take-off and landing recovery verification rocket lifted off from Landspace facilities at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at around 12:00 a.m. Eastern (0400 UTC) on 2024-09-11.

PlanGeneralValue 4.2Sep 11, 2024Landspace completes 10-kilometer reusable rocket test, eyes 2025 orbital launch

Landspace plans the first recovery and reuse of the Zhuque-3 first stage in 2026.

PlanCapabilityGrowthValue 4.0Sep 11, 2024Landspace completes 10-kilometer reusable rocket test, eyes 2025 orbital launch