LandSpaces Zhuque-3 Y2 Rocket Scheduled for August Re-flight
Summary: LandSpaces Zhuque-3 Y2 rocket is scheduled for a re-flight attempt in August 2026, aiming to achieve vertical soft landing and mark a major milestone for Chinas private reusable rocket technology.
According to NetEase News, LandSpace is planning to conduct the re-flight mission of its Zhuque-3 Y2 rocket in August 2026. The primary objective of this mission is to validate the vertical recovery and soft landing technology for the rocket's first stage. A successful vertical soft landing would mark a critical breakthrough for China's private space sector in reusable rocket technology, completing the technological loop from successful orbital insertion to recovery and reuse.
The Zhuque-3 is a medium-lift liquid launch vehicle developed by LandSpace, using liquid oxygen and methane as propellants. The Y2 rocket is the second test vehicle following the Y1. Reports indicate that the Y1 rocket previously succeeded in placing its payload into the intended orbit but did not fully achieve its first-stage recovery attempt. The upcoming re-flight of the Y2 rocket represents a technical verification and upgrade based on the lessons learned from the Y1 mission.
The specific launch window for this re-flight will be determined based on a comprehensive assessment of technical readiness, weather conditions, and launch site support status. LandSpace has stated that its team is making final preparations for the mission. The success or failure of this recovery test holds significant demonstration value for the subsequent development of reusable launch vehicles by Chinese commercial space companies.