Six satellites reached orbit on Saturday cheers to the initial flight of a methane-fueled rocket created by China’s Land Space Technology.
LandSpace, headquarter in Beijing, distinguished itself in July 2023 by achieving the world’s first successful launch of a methane-liquid oxygen rocket. This put them ahead of prominent US companies such as SpaceX, owned by Elon musk, and Keff Bezos’s Blue Origin.
The use of methane to fuel launch vehicles has become increasingly appealing because it is seen as a cleaner, nonviolent, and more economical alternative to conventional hydrocarbon fuels, especially for rockets designed for reuse.
The fifth launch in the Zhuqye-2 series occurred at 12:12 p.m. Beijing time (0412 GMT) when the Zhuque-2E Y2 carrier rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, the company announced.
Due to its lower environmental impact, enhanced safety, and reduced cost relative to conventional hydrocarbon fuels, methane is regarded as an advantageous propellant, particularly for reusable rocket technology.
To meet the increasing needs of China’s expanding commercial space market, LandSpace has increased the rocket’s payload capacity. This growth is happening amidst a competitive environment where companies are looking to build satellite constellation to compete with offerings like Musk’s Starlink.
Zhang Changwu, the CEO and founder, stated that the company’s goal is to conduct the first test flight of a reusable rocket in the second half of 2025. He added that the recent upgrades to the Zhuque-2 series are geared towards achieving this milestone.
During a LandSpace-hosted online broadcast before the launch, Li Xiaoming, the institute’s vice-president, detailed the payload. It consisted of satellites for scientific experiments, multispectral satellites, and radar satellite, collectively weighing between 20 and 300 kg (44-660 pounds).
Li explained that one multispectral satellite will be used to identify mineral deposits, while the other will monitor the environment.
This research satellite is designed for all-weather Earth to China’s deep space exploration ambitions. The radar satellite is designed for all-weather Earth observation, capable of imaging through rain and clouds at any time of day and night.
Following the Chinese government’s decision in 2014 to permit private investment in the space industry, numerous commercial space companies have rapidly entered the field. LandSpace stands out as one of the earliest and well-funded of these new participants.
LandSpace, which was found in 2015, has received investments from entities such as HongShan, a venture capital firm that was previously called Sequoia Capital China, the investment branch of the Chinese developer Country Garden, and the government-backed China SME Development Fund.
Chinese corporate data reveals that LandSpace obtained 900 million yuan (approximately $120 million) in December from a state-run fund focused on advanced manufacturing.
Furthermore, the company has raised 1.2 billion yuan (about $170 million).
