China's reusable rocket Zhuque-3 readies for maiden flight

China's reusable rocket Zhuque-3 has entered a key stage of preparations for its maiden flight after completing joint fueling drills and static ignition tests. 

Developed by LandSpace, a leading Chinese private space company, the 66-meter-tall rocket can carry up to 18 satellites per launch. 

The rocket's reusable first stage is equipped with landing legs and grid fins for controlled descent. Powered by nine liquid oxygen-methane engines that generate over 7,500 kilonewtons of thrust, it can achieve meter-level landing precision and be reused up to 20 times. The reusability has the potential to reduce launch costs by as much as 90 percent compared to single-use rockets.