LandSpace Honghu-03 Zhuque-3
Weather Forecast During Launch
The forecast calls for a temperature of 79°F, clear skies, 0% cloud cover and a wind speed of 6mph.
About the Honghu-03 Mission
| Type | Communications |
|---|---|
| Orbit | Low Earth Orbit |
Note: Second test launch of LandSpace’s ZQ-3 rocket and first ever successful orbital launch vehicle booster recovery by a Chinese private launch service provider.
Prototype LEO communication satellite for LandSpace's subsidiary Hongqing Technology.
Launch Pad & Location
Launch Area 96B
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China
| Launches | 2 |
|---|---|
| Orbital Launch Attempts | 2 |
| Total Launches | 293 |
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is a Chinese spaceport located between the Ejin, Alxa, Inner Mongolia and Hangtian Town, Jinta County, Jiuquan, Gansu Province. It is part of the Dongfeng Aerospace City (Base 10).
LandSpace Zhuque-3 Rocket
Zhuque-3 (ZQ-3) is a reusable orbital launch vehicle developed by Chinese private company LandSpace. The rocket is built using stainless steel and shares the same series of gas generator cycle methane/liquid oxygen powered rocket engines as in the currently active ZQ-2E rocket.
The first stage uses 9 TQ-12 engines (initially the TQ-12A, then upgraded TQ-12B) while the second stage uses 1 TQ-15 engine (TQ-15A, then TQ-15B).
On launch missions where the first stage is recovered, it will land on a down-range landing pad located in Minqin County, Gansu Province.
Booster Landing & Recovery
Core ZQ-3 F2
| Serial Number | ZQ-3 F2 |
|---|---|
| Last Flight | 08/18/2026 |
| Successful Landings | 1 |
| Details | First stage booster to be used on the 2nd flight of LandSpace's Zhuque-3 rocket. |
The Zhuque-3 first stage booster has successfully landed on its downrange landing pad.
Zhuque-3 Landing Site - ZQ-3 LZ
Landing site for first stage boosters of LandSpace’s Zhuque-3 rocket at Minqin County, Gansu Province, China.
Vertical Landing - VL
Vertical landing using engines
About LandSpace
LandSpace is a Chinese private space launch company based in Beijing. It was founded in 2015 by Tsinghua University alumni Zhang Changwu.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the LandSpace Zhuque-3 Honghu-03 launch scheduled?
The LandSpace Zhuque-3 Honghu-03 launch was scheduled for:
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Where did the LandSpace Zhuque-3 Honghu-03 mission launch from?
The LandSpace Zhuque-3 rocket launched from Launch Area 96B at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China. Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is a Chinese spaceport located between the Ejin, Alxa, Inner Mongolia and Hangtian Town, Jinta County, Jiuquan, Gansu Province. It is part of the Dongfeng Aerospace City (Base 10).
What rocket was used for the Honghu-03 mission?
The Honghu-03 mission launched aboard a LandSpace Zhuque-3 rocket. Zhuque-3 (ZQ-3) is a reusable orbital launch vehicle developed by Chinese private company LandSpace. The rocket is built using stainless steel and shares the same series of gas generator cycle methane/liquid oxygen powered rocket engines as in the currently active ZQ-2E rocket. <br> <br>The first stage uses 9 TQ-12 engines (initially the TQ-12A, then upgraded TQ-12B) while the second stage uses 1 TQ-15 engine (TQ-15A, then TQ-15B). <br> <br>On launch missions where the first stage is recovered, it will land on a down-range landing pad located in Minqin County, Gansu Province. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
Did the LandSpace Zhuque-3 booster for Honghu-03 attempt a landing?
Yes, the Zhuque-3 first stage booster attempted a Vertical Landing at a designated landing zone. Booster recovery allows LandSpace to reuse rocket components, significantly reducing launch costs. Learn more about the landing details.
What weather conditions could have delayed the LandSpace Zhuque-3 Honghu-03 launch?
The LandSpace Zhuque-3 Honghu-03 launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the LandSpace Zhuque-3 Honghu-03 launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest LandSpace Zhuque-3 launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the Honghu-03 mission. You can also check our space launch schedule for historical launch information. Our mobile app provides push notifications for instant alerts about launch status changes. Official LandSpace live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.
Last Updated
Last Updated:
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Launch success.
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Liftoff and confirmed successful 1st stage booster landing.
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Rescheduled for NET August 18 UTC per new NOTAMs.
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Launch delayed per cancellation of NOTAMs.
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NET August 10 UTC per NOTAMs; Assignment of this launch to the launch within this launch window is uncertain.
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Added launch.