From October 18 to 20, 2025, the inaugural remote launch vehicle of LandSpace's ZQ-3 successfully accomplished the initial phase of its maiden flight mission. This phase comprised a fueling rehearsal and a static fire test, conducted at Launch Site 2 for Liquid Oxygen-Methane Rockets in the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Test Zone. The test covered the entire operational spectrum, including the horizontal transportation and vertical assembly of the complete rocket, loading of ultra-cooled propellants, integrated testing and launch procedures, ignition and restraint of nine engines, and the drainage of propellants. This comprehensive approach thoroughly verified the rationality of the testing and launch protocols, as well as the compatibility between the rocket system and the launch site system.

The ZQ-3 launch vehicle, which received official development approval in August 2023, is a large-scale, cost-effective, and reusable liquid launch vehicle. It has been independently developed by LandSpace specifically for large-scale constellation networking missions. The rocket's first and second stages boast a diameter of 4.5 meters, with a payload fairing diameter of 5.2 meters and an overall length of 66.1 meters. It has a takeoff mass of approximately 570 tons and generates a takeoff thrust exceeding 750 tons. The rocket's primary structural material is stainless steel. The first stage is outfitted with nine Tianque-12A liquid oxygen-methane engines, along with a reaction control system (RCS), grid fins, and landing legs, all essential for the first-stage recovery process. Upon completing its orbital launch mission, the rocket is capable of autonomous, high-precision return, achieving a soft landing at the designated recovery site, and subsequently being reused.

Following this, the rocket is set to undergo vertical operation drills as planned. It will then return to the technical area for various preparations in anticipation of the formal orbital launch and first-stage recovery. Musk remarked that the ZQ-3 incorporates certain design elements reminiscent of the Starship, such as the utilization of stainless steel and methane-liquid oxygen fuel. He anticipates that these enhancements will enable the ZQ-3 to outperform the Falcon 9.