---
title: "Successful Booster Recovery By Chinese Space Company Is A Serious Threat To U.S. Advantage In Space, Says ITIF"
summary: |-
  Following the successful [landing](https://spacenews.com/chinas-landspace-recovers-booster-with-second-orbital-launch-of-zhuque-3-rocket/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Breaking%3A%20China%20s%20Landspace%20lands%20booster%20on%20legs&utm_campaign=Breaking%20China%20landing%202026%2008-18) of a first-stage booster by Chinese rocket company Landspace, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) released the following statement from Policy Analyst Ellis Scherer.
date: "2026-08-19"
content_type: "Press Releases"
canonical_url: "https://itif.org/publications/2026/08/19/successful-booster-recovery-by-chinese-space-company-erases-u-s-advantage-says-itif/"
---

# Successful Booster Recovery By Chinese Space Company Is A Serious Threat To U.S. Advantage In Space, Says ITIF

WASHINGTON—Following the successful landing of a first-stage booster by Chinese rocket company Landspace, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) released the following statement from Policy Analyst Ellis Scherer:

*“The United States’ primary advantage over China in space innovation, the reusable rocket, has been erased.*

*Landspace is now the third, and the only non-U.S. company, to achieve this feat. Today’s successful landing is the first step towards a fully reusable rocket, which will allow China’s space industry to close the innovation gap with the United States. Reusable rockets will lower launch costs in China, enabling more frequent launches and more Chinese satellites in orbit.*

*U.S. lawmakers should be alarmed by this development, and respond by prioritizing regulatory reform that will enable U.S. space industry growth and help reestablish its competitive advantage over China in the global space economy.”*

**Contact:** Austin Slater, [press@itif.org](mailto:press@itif.org)

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*Source: Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF)*
*URL: https://itif.org/publications/2026/08/19/successful-booster-recovery-by-chinese-space-company-erases-u-s-advantage-says-itif/*