General · 19 August 2026

China recovers rocket stage on land for first time, after earlier recovery at sea

China's space programme achieved a significant milestone by successfully recovering a rocket's first stage on land. The reusable Zhuque-3 rocket launched on Wednesday morning, with its first stage recovered after the flight. The Zhuque-3 landing marks China's second rocket stage recovery, following a sea platform landing in July, and included the first use of deployable landing legs.

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