HELSINKI — Chinese launch startup Landspace says it has completed a long-duration full-system hot-fire test of its new 220-ton-class methane rocket engine for new-generation launchers.
Landspace made China's first orbital booster recovery attempt in December 2025 with the debut launch of its stainless steel Zhuque-3 rocket. While the second stage with a mass simulator payload successfully reached orbit, the first stage failed shortly after initiation of the landing burn.
The company is planning another attempt for the second quarter of this year and aims to demonstrate reuse in the fourth quarter, but is meanwhile also making progress on an engine to power new, larger and more powerful launchers.
