Overview
- LandSpace launched the second Zhuque‑3 and successfully placed the Honghu‑03 satellite into its planned orbit, with the first and second stages separating about 137 seconds into flight and the booster touching down about eight minutes after liftoff on Wednesday.
- The booster achieved a controlled, vertical landing on deployable legs at a Minqin County recovery site but video showed a post‑touchdown fire in the aft section that later weakened the legs and caused the stage to collapse.
- LandSpace says engineers made targeted fixes after the rocket’s December maiden flight, including reducing the number of engines used in the final landing burn, adding a predicted‑landing‑point function to the flight‑control safety system, and improving thermal protection for reentry.
- The company will conduct on‑site inspections and says the first stage is designed for up to 20 flights and is aiming to refurbish and refly the recovered booster within roughly six months.
- The mission advances China’s dual approach to reusability — private firms landing boosters on legs and state programs testing sea‑based net capture — and narrows technical gaps with routine re‑use leaders while highlighting the operational challenge of safe, rapid refurbishment.