The rocket adopts a two-stage configuration, with a diameter of 4.5 meters, a total length of 66.1 meters and a liftoff mass of about 570 tons. Its first stage is equipped with nine Tianque-12A liquid oxygen-methane engines, as well as recovery systems including grid fins, attitude control systems and landing legs, enabling autonomous return and soft landing after orbital missions, LandSpace said.

　　The Y2 mission was conducted on the basis of experience accumulated from the previous flight test, with improvements focused on recovery reliability, flight control and engine performance.

　　LandSpace said it optimized the first-stage landing propulsion scheme by reducing the number of engines used during landing ignition, simplifying system design and improving reliability during the recovery phase. The company also added an autonomous safety control function capable of predicting landing points based on flight conditions and making corresponding safety adjustments.

　　The mission also further verified key technologies including the use of stainless-steel rocket structures, liquid oxygen-methane propulsion and landing-leg recovery systems.

　　According to LandSpace, stainless steel provides advantages in manufacturing cost, processing efficiency, high- and low-temperature performance and post-recovery maintenance, making it suitable for reusable rocket development.

　　

　　Photos: Courtesy of Landspace

　　More than a single rocket"s return

　　The significance of Zhuque-3 Y2 extends beyond one flight test, as it reflects China"s broader effort to develop reusable launch systems through multiple technological routes, according to Chinese experts.