
LandSpace
First methane-fueled rocket to reach orbit
- Founded
- 2015
- Headquarters
- Beijing, China
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Rockets
Zhuque-2E Block 2
4 launches
Zhuque-2
3 launches
Zhuque-2E
3 launches
Zhuque-3
2 launches
Zhuque-1
1 launch
Posts from X

Frost's Descent (霜降 · 18th Solar Term) Know Where You Go · Know Where You Return Today is Frost's Descent, eighteenth of the twenty-four solar terms — the last of autumn. Autumn deepens, dyeing the forests layer on layer. Grass and trees sense the coming cold; all things move in their order. This autumn has known both setting out and standing watch, unhurried journeys forward, and homecomings worth the wait. Through spring's birth and summer's growth, through autumn's harvest and winter's keeping, we have come to understand: a far journey does not end at arrival, and coming home is not the end. Know where you go, and know where you return. May there always be flowers in your heart and light in your eyes. However heavy the frost, we walk on — toward the warmth.

ZhuQue-2E Y4 Launch Mission Recap

LandSpace is currently advancing the regularized commercial launch operations of the ZQ-2E and the engineering reuse verification of the ZhuQue-3, while deploying key satellite-networking capabilities through LandTower — further strengthening spacecraft–launch vehicle technology synergy, expanding integrated service capabilities for satellite internet construction, and continuously enhancing stable, efficient access to space, in support of satellite internet development and the scaled growth of its commercial space industry.

Also aboard were LT-03 and LT-04, a new generation of laser data-transmission test satellites developed by LandTower for key satellite-networking technologies. They will carry out dedicated in-orbit verification of core technologies including highly integrated onboard processing units, large-aperture high-speed laser communication, integrated laser-routing communication modules, and new-type solar array power systems, continuously refining the technology system for large-scale constellation deployment. Earlier, on November 27, 2024, LandTower's LT Test-01 and LT Test-02 were carried into space aboard the ZQ-2E Y1 launch vehicle. Having operated stably in orbit for nearly two years, they have completed in-orbit verification of multiple technologies, including 400 Gbps laser communication, multi-scenario long-duration stable link establishment, and the ROSA (Roll-Out Solar Array) system. Together with industry partners including the China Mobile Research Institute, they also achieved China's first verification of "inter-satellite laser + satellite-to-ground microwave" multi-modal integrated relay transmission.

The eight ADA Space satellites aboard — XSD-39 and XSD-44 through XSD-50 — were independently developed by ADA Space and will primarily conduct technology verification of high-performance computing payloads, high-speed inter-satellite and satellite-to-ground laser communication, and large radiator wings.

MISSION SUCCESS | ZhuQue-2E Y4 Launch Vehicle Achieved Full Mission Success - ZhuQue-2 Series' 10th Flight: Breaking New Ground in Spacecraft–Launch Vehicle Synergy On October 14, 2026, 07:40 p.m. (UTC+8), the ZhuQue-2E (ZQ-2E) Y4 launch vehicle successfully lifted off from the LandSpace Launch Complex at the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Pilot Zone, carrying ten satellites aboard a single launch — ADA Space's XSD-39, XSD-44, XSD-45, XSD-46, XSD-47, XSD-48, XSD-49, and XSD-50, together with LandTower's LT-03 and LT-04 — and successfully delivered them into their designated orbits. The flight test mission achieved full mission success. This mission marked the 10th flight of the ZhuQue-2 series launch vehicles.

Cold Dew (寒露 · 17th Solar Term) Onward, Unhurried · The Long Road Proves Itself Glistening dew gathers among the grass and trees; autumn deepens. Today marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of China's space program. To play our part in this great endeavor, to have journeyed alongside it all this way — fills us with deep pride. If White Dew was the passage from heat to coolness — then, the moon waxing, the net drawing close — then Cold Dew is the passage from cool to cold; Now, onward unhurried, clear in the long run. A late autumn of many colors, of poetry and painting, is arriving. Autumn deepens, and does not pause; the journey goes on, and does not rest. No hurry for a single moment; no stopping after a single stretch.

Autumn Equinox (秋分 · 16th Solar Term) Every Journey Traveled Is for the Next On the Autumn Equinox, day and night stand equal — yet time's rhythm never pauses. No racing for a moment's lead; only each step, each journey, made well. From Land to Space, from reaching orbit to connection. Nothing traveled is without gain; nothing advanced is without cause.

ZhuQue-2E Y7 Launch Mission Recap

This mission marks the ninth flight of the ZhuQue-2 series launch vehicle and the first large-scale satellite internet constellation deployment mission conducted by the ZhuQue-2E. LandSpace has achieved routine commercial launch operations with the ZhuQue-2E, while continuing to advance the engineering reuse verification of ZhuQue-3. LandSpace will keep enhancing its capability for stable and efficient access to space, providing launch-capacity support for satellite internet development and the scaled growth of the commercial space sector.

MISSION SUCCESS | ZhuQue-2E Y7 Launch Vehicle Achieved Full Mission Success - ZhuQue-2E Launch Vehicle Conducts First Large-Scale Satellite Internet Constellation Deployment Mission On September 15, 2026, 02:26 p.m. (UTC+8), the ZhuQue-2E (ZQ-2E) Y7 launch vehicle successfully lifted off from LandSpace Launch Complex in Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Pilot Zone. The vehicle completed all planned flight tasks, successfully delivered the Shanghai Spacesail Technologies SpaceSail Polar Orbit Group 19 satellites into their designated orbits, achieving full mission success.

White Dew (白露 · 15th Solar Term) The Moon Grows Full, the Network Grows Dense Mid-autumn begins; the summer heat dissolves. Today is White Dew of the twenty-four solar terms. At Qixi, China's festival of reunion, the ZhuQue has come home; Now White Dew is here, and we are bound for new orbits. The moon waxes from crescent to full; the network grows from sparse to dense. Autumn deepens its colors; clear dew gathers its fullness. From the minute comes the remarkable; in due order, all is accomplished.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all sectors of society for your continued care and support, and to space enthusiasts around the world for accompanying us on this journey and witnessing every milestone together. This autumn, we will continue to keep our feet firmly on the ground, advance through one engineering milestone after another, and journey toward ever more distant stars.

As the Chinese saying goes:“Sow in spring, develop in summer, harvest in autumn, store in winter.” Harvest is not an ending — it prepares the way for new growth. Returning is not a pause — it prepares for the next departure. After End of Heat, the world grows quieter, and all things return to order. So it is with ZhuQue. ZhuQue comes home — not to stop, but to prepare for flight once again.

After returning to the assembly facility, the first stage will undergo a series of new processes, including inspection and assessment, selective disassembly, condition analysis, maintenance, and refurbishment. These efforts will accumulate engineering experience for the validation of reuse processes and the establishment of standardized procedures. We will continue to explore and refine the engineering reuse system for reusable launch vehicles — turning every flight into capability for the next, and every practice into reliable, stable, and repeatable engineering experience.

End of Heat (处暑 · 14th Solar Term) The Fading Heat · ZhuQue Comes Home Just this week, the ZhuQue-3 Y2 reusable launch vehicle achieved full success in orbital insertion and first-stage land recovery. For a reusable launch vehicle, a successful recovery is not the finish line — it marks the beginning of engineering reuse. In the days following the mission, the first task at the recovery site is to lower the recovered first stage to horizontal, secure it onto a transporter and return it to the assembly facility. We call this journey “ZhuQue Comes Home.” Coming home is more than a return journey. It is the prologue to engineering reuse.
Recent launches

10 satellites
Oct 14, 2026, 11:40 AM
LandSpace
Zhuque-2E Block 2
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

SpaceSail Polar Group #15
Sep 15, 2026, 6:26 AM
LandSpace
Zhuque-2E Block 2
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

2 x SatNet DTC test satellites
Jun 9, 2026, 8:23 AM
LandSpace
Zhuque-2E Block 2
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Mass Simulator
May 14, 2026, 3:00 AM
LandSpace
Zhuque-2E Block 2
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Flight 3
Dec 8, 2023, 11:39 PM
LandSpace
Zhuque-2
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Flight 2
Jul 12, 2023, 1:00 AM
LandSpace
Zhuque-2
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Maiden Flight
Dec 14, 2022, 8:30 AM
LandSpace
Zhuque-2
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

4 x SatNet test satellites
Aug 15, 2025, 1:17 AM
LandSpace
Zhuque-2E
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

6 satellites
May 17, 2025, 4:12 AM
LandSpace
Zhuque-2E
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Guangchuan-01 & 02
Nov 27, 2024, 2:00 AM
LandSpace
Zhuque-2E
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China




