Tianlong-3
Larger, partially reusable Falcon 9-class rocket in development, targeting ~17,000 kg to LEO.
Technical specifications
- Propellant
- Kerosene / liquid oxygen (kerolox)
- Configuration
- Two-stage, reusable first stage
- Payload to LEO
- ~17,000 kg
- Payload to 500 km SSO
- ~14,000 kg
- Class
- Falcon 9-class
- Status
- In development; maiden flight attempted April 2026
- Launch site
- Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center
About
Tianlong-3 is Space Pioneer’s next-generation, two-stage orbital launch vehicle, designed with a reusable first stage broadly comparable in scale and mission profile to SpaceX’s Falcon 9. The rocket is powered by a cluster of the company’s uprated liquid kerosene/oxygen engines and is intended to deliver roughly 17,000 kg to low Earth orbit (about 14,000 kg to a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit), positioning it as one of the highest-capacity commercial rockets under development in China. Development has included several full-scale static-fire campaigns, including an unintended launch during a June 2024 test in which the booster separated from its test stand and flew roughly 1.5 km before impacting nearby terrain. Space Pioneer conducted a redesigned nine-engine static fire in September 2025 producing nearly 1,100 tonnes of combined thrust, and the rocket’s maiden orbital launch attempt from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in April 2026 suffered an anomaly shortly after liftoff. The company continues to work toward a successful debut and eventual booster recovery and reuse.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.
