This Chinese company could become the country’s first to land a reusable rocket, but it’s not alone in the race. LandSpace, a Beijing-based startup, is about to launch its Zhuque-3 rocket, which could be the largest commercial launch vehicle ever flown in China. The rocket is designed to be partially reusable, with a focus on landing its first stage booster. This is a significant step for China, as it aims to keep up with the US launch industry, dominated by SpaceX. But here's where it gets controversial: while LandSpace is making strides, China still has a long way to go in terms of reusable rocketry. The country has turned to expendable boosters this year, launching less than half as often as the US. However, with the Zhuque-3, LandSpace is aiming to change that. The rocket's nine TQ-12A engines produce over 1.6 million pounds of thrust, and it's designed to carry a payload of up to 17,600 pounds into low-Earth orbit. But this is just the beginning. LandSpace is also developing the Long March 12A, a rocket with comparable performance to the Zhuque-3, and other companies are working on their own reusable boosters. The race is on, and China is determined to make its mark in the reusable rocket space.
