LandSpace on Saturday disclosed key technical details of the first-stage booster recovery test for the Zhuque-3 rocket. The company said that the rocket went through the most technically demanding phase for reusable launch vehicles, generating valuable data for future improvements.

This phase requires the vehicle to withstand the maximum dynamic pressure, placing extremely high demands on its thermal protection system, aerodynamic configuration design and attitude control capabilities. Data collected during the flight will provide an important foundation for iterative improvements to future models.

The rocket also achieved high-precision guidance and control toward the designated landing pad during both the reentry ignition phase and the aerodynamic gliding phase. The test validated the integrated control strategy using the cold-gas Reaction Control System (RCS) and grid fins, along with the associated guidance algorithms.

The trial further strengthened China's engineering foundation for developing reusable liquid oxygen–methane launch vehicles and explored a viable path for future first-stage recovery.

Read more: China's reusable Zhuque-3 rocket successfully reaches orbit