A new methane rocket developed by Landspace technology in China launched six satellites in orbit on Saturday, doubling a cheap and clean fuel that the private startup expects it to help it develop reusable rockets.
The Zhuque-2E Y2 carrieter rocket shot at 12:12 pm (09:12 am PKT) of the Jiuquan satellite launch center in northwestern China, marking the fifth flight for the Zhuque-2 series, according to a company statement.
Landspace, based in Beijing, became the first company in the world to launch an oxygen rocket of liquid methane in July 2023, ahead of US rivals, including Spacex by Elon Musk and the blue origin of Jeff Bezos.
The interest has grown in recent years in the launch of methane -fed vehicles, which is considered less pollutant, safer and cheaper than the most used hydrocarbon fuels and an adequate propeller in a reusable rocket.
Landspace has increased the ondder load of the rocket, which reflects the growing demand in the China’s expanding commercial space industry in the midst of the growing competition to form a satellite constellation as an alternative to the Musk Starlink.
His first successful launch with methane did not carry any real satellite, but the second launch in December 2023 successfully sent three satellites. The launch of Saturday put six satellites in orbit.
Reusable rockets, Pioneers by Spacex, have shown that they can reduce vehicle launch costs and space transport.
The founder and CEO of Landspace, Zhang Changwu, said the company had begun to develop reusable rockets and expected to perform a test launch in the second half of 2025.
The latest model of its Zhuque-2 series includes technical improvements that will help the company’s goal to launch a reusable rocket.
The launch of Saturday marked the first time that Landspace has deployed a propulsion method that involves cooling liquid oxygen and methane below its boiling points, increasing the thrust.
Chinese space companies have rushed to the sector since 2014, when the Government allowed private investment in the industry. Landspace was one of the earliest and best financed participants.
Founded in 2015, Landspace has obtained investor funds, including the risk capital firm, Hongshan, known at that time as Chinese capital sequoia, the investment arm of the Chinese real estate developer Country Garden and the China SME Development Fund backed by the State.
Landspace raised 900 million yuan ($ 120mn) in December of a state fund focused on advanced manufacturing, while in 2020 he raised 1.2 billion yuan ($ 170mn), showed the Chinese corporate databases.
