China's Zhuque-3 reusable rocket completes 10 km vertical takeoff, landing test

China's reusable rocket Zhuque-3 has completed its vertical takeoff and landing test at an altitude of 10 kilometers at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Wednesday.

At around 12:00, China's first rocket made of stainless steel, with a diameter of 4.5 meters, stood ready on the launch pad. Using liquid oxygen-methane as propellant, the rocket ascended to approximately 10 kilometers. Following a 40-second unpowered glide, it then reignited its engines at an altitude of 4.64 kilometers above the ground and achieved a soft and precise vertical landing at the designated recovery pad, which is 3.2 kilometers away from the launch pad, successfully completing the flight test in 200.7 seconds.

"During the real vertical return recovery of Zhuque-3, we have verified these crucial technologies in advance, thus laying a sound technical foundation for the rocket," said Dai Zheng, chief commander of Zhuque-3.

This test, following the reusable rocket's first launch and landing test in January this year, is an advanced verification of some key technologies for the vertical takeoff and landing retrieval of the reusable rocket. The flight process closely simulated the actual conditions of rocket recovery and comprehensively verified the key technologies of the propulsion system applied by Zhuque-3.

"Further verification of Zhuque-3 is required, specifically regarding the powered deceleration after the separation of the first and second stages but prior to the rocket's entry into the denser layer of the atmosphere," Dai added.

Zhuque-3 carrier rocket's liftoff weight is about 660 tons and it has a carrying capacity of over 18.3 tons. Its first stage designed to be reused at least 20 times. And the rocket can launch multiple satellites at one time, such as flat stackable satellites.

China's Zhuque-3 reusable rocket completes 10 km vertical takeoff, landing test

The third part of China Media Group (CMG)'s Mid-Autumn Festival gala aired on Tuesday night blends traditional Chinese culture with international artistry in a diverse lineup, bringing the audience an unforgettable night of music performance and poetry recitation.

The annual gala broadcast, also known as "Qiuwan" in Chinese, was recorded in Shenyang City of northeast China's Liaoning Province, a 2,300-year-old city boasting three world cultural heritage sites and over 1,500 historical and cultural sites. The city is also one of the most well-known industrial cities in China.

Themed "Moon Bright", the third part of the grand gala features an array of classic songs, reunion-themed narratives, and touching performances. Highlights include a music adaptation of the famous Chinese poem Qing Ping Diao by Tang Dynasty Poet Li Bai (701-762), which captures the essence of ancient Chinese beauty and expression; and a middle-school chorus from the Macao Special Administrative Region, singing about their love for the country and hopes for a brighter future.

The third segment of the show also features celebrated French musician Richard Clayderman, who enchants the audience with his timeless A Comme Amour a breathtaking rendition of The Butterfly Lovers concerto. The concerto, inspired by the tragic love story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, is a modern classic that intertwines Chinese folklore with romantic Western composition techniques.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the night when the moon reaches its fullest and brightest on the 15th day of the eighth month on the lunar calendar. This year, the day fell on Tuesday (Sept 17). During the festival, families reunite, admire the moon, share the traditional festive pastry of mooncakes and light up lanterns.

Part 3 of CMG Mid-Autumn Festival Gala showcases diverse lineup of performances