Zhuque 3

ZhuQue-3 delivers over 750 tons of liftoff thrust.

Fraunhofer FHR used its space-surveillance radar TIRA to capture a radar image of the ZhuQue-3 upper stage.

ZhuQue-3 has a liftoff mass over 570 tons.

ZhuQue-3 has an overall length of 66.1 meters.

ZhuQue-3 is a large, reusable liquid-fueled launch vehicle independently developed by LandSpace for large-scale constellation deployment missions.

ZhuQue-3 was officially initiated in August 2023.

LandSpace’s Zhuque-3 launch vehicle flew for the first time on December 3rd, 2025.

When flown, the Long March 12B will become China’s third reusable launch solution following LandSpace’s Zhuque-3 and the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology’s Long March 12A in December 2025.

The startup aims to recover the first stage of the Zhuque-3 rocket by the summer of next year.

Dong Kai, Zhuque-3's Deputy Chief Engineer, stated that a successfully landing first-stage booster will be refurbished for use on the fourth mission.

The full capability version of Zhuque-3 will be able to carry 21,300 kilograms when expended or 18,300 kilograms with first-stage reuse, using TQ-12B engines generating 100 tons of thrust each.

The second Zhuque-3 flight vehicle has completed assembly and is undergoing necessary changes for a first-stage booster landing.

Zhuque-3's first-stage booster test article, fired up in June 2025, could be converted into a flight vehicle.

Zhuque-3's next flight is expected to take place in April 2026.

Zhuque-3's 'full capability' version, standing 76.6 meters tall, is expected to be completed in 2026 for possible flight in 2027.

Zhuque-3 aims to become a low-cost, high-capacity, regularly flying, partially reusable launch vehicle.

In its current design, Zhuque-3 stands 66 meters tall and carries up to 11,800 kilograms of payload using TQ-12A engines generating 83 tons of thrust.

Zhuque-3 had its first flight in June 2025 and focuses on deploying space-based connectivity mega-constellations.