Has LandSpace reached orbit?

Yes. LandSpace's Zhuque-2 reached orbit on 12 July 2023, becoming the first methane-fueled (methalox) rocket in the world to do so, and the heavier reusable Zhuque-3 reached orbit on its maiden flight in December 2025.

What rockets does LandSpace build?

LandSpace builds the Zhuque rocket family: the retired solid-fueled Zhuque-1, the operational methalox Zhuque-2 / Zhuque-2E, and the partially reusable stainless-steel methalox Zhuque-3. Its later vehicles use liquid oxygen and liquid methane propellant.

Why is LandSpace historically significant?

Its Zhuque-2 was the first methane-fueled rocket ever to reach orbit, validating methalox as a practical orbital propellant well-suited to reusable rockets and positioning LandSpace as a leader in China's commercial launch sector.

Companies

ActiveChinaCommercial

LandSpace

First methane-fueled rocket to reach orbit

Founded: 2015
Headquarters: Beijing, China

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Total launches

Successful

70%

Success rate

Upcoming

Overview

LandSpace (LandSpace Technology Corporation) is a Chinese commercial launch company founded in 2015 by Zhang Changwu and headquartered in Beijing. It was one of China's earliest private launch-vehicle developers and is focused on liquid oxygen / liquid methane (methalox) rocket engines and medium-to-large launch vehicles.

The company is best known for its Zhuque (ZQ) rocket family. After its small solid-fueled Zhuque-1 failed to reach orbit in 2018, LandSpace pivoted to methalox liquid rockets, and on 12 July 2023 its Zhuque-2 became the first methane-fueled launch vehicle in the world to reach orbit. The enhanced Zhuque-2E now flies operational commercial missions deploying multiple satellites.

LandSpace's next vehicle, the Zhuque-3, is a stainless-steel, partially reusable methalox launcher in the Falcon 9 class. It reached orbit on its maiden flight in December 2025, though the first attempt to recover its booster ended in a crash. The company is regarded as a leading player in China's emerging reusable-rocket sector and has pursued plans for a public listing.

Milestones

Timeline

2015
Company founded
LandSpace Technology Corporation is established in Beijing by Zhang Changwu as one of China's first private launch companies.
2018
First orbital attempt (Zhuque-1)
The solid-fueled Zhuque-1 makes LandSpace's first orbital launch attempt but fails to reach orbit, prompting a pivot to methalox rockets.
Dec 2022
First methalox orbital attempt
Zhuque-2's debut flight becomes the world's first orbital launch attempt by a methane-fueled rocket, though it does not reach orbit.
Jul 2023
First methalox rocket to orbit
Zhuque-2 Y-2 successfully reaches orbit from Jiuquan, becoming the first methane-fueled launch vehicle in history to do so.
Dec 2025
Zhuque-3 reaches orbit
The reusable, stainless-steel methalox Zhuque-3 reaches orbit on its maiden flight, while the first booster-recovery attempt ends in a crash.