China’s new reusable rocket prepares to challenge Elon Musk's SpaceX

China’s private aerospace company Space Pioneer has successfully completed a critical full-scale ground test of its Tianlong-3 reusable rocket, marking a major milestone toward its planned maiden flight later in 2025. The test involved firing nine Tianhuo-12 engines simultaneously for 35 seconds, generating about 1,102 tons of thrust. The 72-meter tall, medium-lift Tianlong-3 is designed to be partially reusable and capable of carrying 17 to 18 tonnes to low Earth orbit, putting it in direct competition with SpaceX’s Falcon 9. The rocket aims to support China’s ambitious broadband satellite constellations, Guowang and Qianfan, which plan to deploy over 13,000 satellites each but have faced delays partly due to launch vehicle shortages. Tianlong-3 is one of several Chinese reusable rocket projects progressing toward operational status this year. Rival private company LandSpace is developing the Zhuque-3, expected to launch between September and November 202