LandSpace ZQ 3 Y1 rocket reaches orbit on first reusable flight attempt

Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Dec 03, 2025

LandSpace, a private Chinese rocket company, has flown its ZQ 3, or Rosefinch 3, carrier rocket for the first time, marking China’s initial orbital mission using a reusable rocket architecture, although recovery of the first-stage booster was not successful.

The ZQ 3 Y1 vehicle, built mainly from stainless steel, lifted off at noon from a dedicated launch service tower at the Jiuquan Satel