Chinese 'copy' of SpaceX fails! Rocket reaches orbit, explodes during landing

Last Updated:December 04, 2025, 21:24 IST

China Zhuque 3 Rocket Explosion: China’s private company Landspace’s new reusable rocket Zhuque-3 reached orbit in its first flight, but turned into a ball of fire due to engine failure during landing. This rocket, which looks like SpaceX Falcon-9, was a big claim of China’s space technology. After the accident, the company is investigating its technical flaws.

The Zhuque-3 rocket reached orbit in China’s first reusable test flight but exploded due to engine failure during landing. (Photo Reuters)

New Delhi: China had claimed to compete with SpaceX in reusable rocket technology. But his first big attempt failed miserably as soon as it came on the ground. Landspace Company’s new stainless steel rocket Zhuque-3 touched orbit in its first flight on Tuesday. But as soon as it reached the landing zone, it turned into a ball of fire with a huge explosion. Its visuals are viral on social media and people are taunting it by calling it a ‘Chinese copy’ of SpaceX Falcon-9.

This disastrous landing has raised big questions on China’s reusable space technology. Especially when Beijing is trying to position itself as America’s main rival in the commercial space market. Achieving orbit in the first flight was a big success, but the most difficult task after takeoff was safe landing, this is where China lagged behind.

Why did China’s new rocket explode?

Zhuque-3 was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center located in the Gobi Desert of China. By flying this 66 meter long rocket for the first time, the company showed that its Methalox technology is strong. The second stage of the rocket successfully reached orbit. But the problem returned to the first stage and the same stage had to be used again and again in the future.