China vs SpaceX: An Analysis of LandSpace’s Reusable Rocket Challenge

Earlier this month, LandSpace made history by becoming the first Chinese company to conduct a full reusable rocket test. Its Zhuque-3 rocket lifted off on its maiden flight from a remote site in northwest China, drawing comparisons with SpaceX’s Falcon 9.

Although the mission did not achieve the final goal of landing and recovering the booster, it marked a significant step forward for China’s commercial space sector.

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Second Test Flight Planned

LandSpace plans to attempt booster recovery again in a second Zhuque-3 test flight in mid-2026, said deputy chief designer Dong Kai during an interview with the Chinese podcast Tech Early Know.

“If recovery succeeds on the second flight, we plan to use a previously flown first stage on the fourth launch,” Dong explained.

SpaceX Remains the Global Leader

Currently, SpaceX is the only company that has fully mastered reusable rocket operations. Its Falcon 9 rocket launches about 150 times per year, with individual boosters reused dozens of times.

Elon Musk acknowledged in October that Zhuque-3’s design has strong potential, but noted that it would take LandSpace more than five years to match Falcon 9’s launch frequency. By then, SpaceX expects to rely primarily on its next-generation Starship system, capable of delivering vastly greater payloads.

Challenges of Launch Frequency in China

Dong expressed skepticism that Falcon 9’s pace could be exceeded anytime soon, pointing out that all Chinese rocket launches combined this year total roughly 100 missions.

“Reaching that level of frequency is extremely difficult for a single company,” he said, emphasizing the need for a strong national ecosystem. LandSpace currently plans 10 launches next year across its rocket models.

IPO Seen as Key to Future Growth

Company executives have previously noted that SpaceX’s success depends heavily on its ability to finance frequent testing and launches. For LandSpace, achieving a similar scale would likely require significant funding.

As a result, the company is preparing to tap China’s capital markets, with plans for an initial public offering (IPO) next year to support long-term development and innovation.