A Chinese company has successfully launched a satellite using a methane and liquid oxygen-powered rocket for the first time in the world.
This event surpassed billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX in technology, raising hopes that China’s aerospace industry can commercialize this type of rocket.
According to Xinhua News Agency, the Zhuque 2 Y-3 rocket, developed by the private aerospace company LandSpace based in Beijing, was successfully launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China in the early hours of December 9.
The Zhuque 2 Y-3 rocket launched into space on December 9. (Image: LandSpace).
Reports indicate that the rocket successfully placed three satellites into orbit, including: Honghu, Honghu 2, and TY-33.
The success of this launch marks a new phase for the commercialization of liquid-fueled rocket launches in China, demonstrating the reliability and stability of this technology.
LandSpace stated: “We will continuously develop cost-effective, reliable, and high-capacity commercial launch rocket products.”
This is key for LandSpace to achieve its goals of industrialization and commercialization of the next generation of liquid-fueled rockets, aiming to provide large-scale rockets at low costs while ensuring a continuous and stable launch process.”
The current design of this rocket can carry 1.5 tons of cargo into orbit, such as satellites.
According to the company, engineers are making new improvements to the Zhuque 2 Y-3 rocket to enhance its capacity to carry payloads of up to 4 tons into orbit, catering to the needs of spacecraft or satellites in low Earth orbit.
The rocket measures 49.5 meters in length, has a diameter of 3.35 meters, and a launch mass of up to 220 tons, excluding payload.
Chinese news agency Caixin reported that LandSpace plans three more launches and aims to double its annual launch frequency to achieve 12 launches by 2026.
China aims to become a leading global space power by 2045 through the application of technological innovations to foster the nation’s overall development.
Private space companies in China are emerging rapidly, achieving numerous successes.
In April, Beijing-based startup Space Pioneer successfully launched the Tianlong 2 rocket, using coal-derived kerosene for the first time globally.
The use of methane-powered rockets is highly regarded by space agencies worldwide due to their cleaner combustion compared to traditional fuels.
This helps extend the lifespan of rocket engines and makes them more suitable for reusable rocket designs.
According to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), methane is stable and denser than liquid hydrogen (the most common rocket fuel), allowing it to be stored at easily protected temperatures and in smaller containers.
Two other liquid oxygen methane rockets produced in the U.S., SpaceX’s Starship and Relativity Space’s Terran 1, have all faced failures in recent tests.
