THE vertical return technology of China’s reusable rocket Zhuque-3 successfully completed its first flight test at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China, laying the foundation for the maiden flight of the country’s first stainless steel liquid carrier rocket. The flight test verified the vertical recovery of a rocket at low altitude and low speed, matching between the control system and engine thrust adjustment performance, and the rocket vertical recovery’s guidance and control algorithm, according to the rocket’s developer LandSpace, a Chinese private rocket company. Zhuque-3 uses liquid oxygen-methane as propellant, with its first stage designed to be reused at least 20 times. It can launch multiple satellites at one time, such as flat stackable satellites. According to LandSpace CEO Zhang Changwu, the stainless steel rocket body structure can greatly reduce manufacturing costs and shorten the production cycle of rockets. (Xinhua) | 