Zhuque-3 Y2 Launches June 24, Attempting Chinas First Rocket First-Stage Recovery
Summary: LandSpaces Zhuque-3 Y2 rocket is scheduled to launch on June 24, 2026, attempting first-stage vertical recovery — potentially becoming Chinas first successfully recovered orbital rocket.
According to multiple Chinese media outlets, LandSpace is set to launch the Zhuque-3 Y2 rocket on June 24, 2026, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The mission will carry a simulated payload, with its primary objective being a first-stage vertical landing and recovery test. If successful, Zhuque-3 would become the first Chinese orbital rocket to achieve first-stage recovery.
Zhuque-3 is a reusable liquid-fueled launch vehicle independently developed by LandSpace, powered by liquid oxygen and methane propellants. During the Y1 maiden flight, the first stage conducted a near-landing test but did not achieve full recovery. LandSpace has stated that if the Y2 recovery test succeeds, the recovered first stage will be refurbished and flown again on a subsequent Zhuque-3 mission, closing the reuse loop.
As reported by Xinhua in February 2026, LandSpace plans to follow a successful Q2 recovery test with a reuse flight in Q4 of the same year using the recovered booster. Whether Zhuque-3 can clear this critical milestone remains to be seen.