The reusable kerosene-powered rocket Nebula-1 from the private aerospace company Deep Blue Aerospace failed during its landing test on September 22.
The Nebula-1 rocket encountered issues during landing. (Video: Deep Blue Aerospace).
Despite the setback in the final phase, the Nebula-1 rocket achieved 10 out of 11 objectives in the Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTVL) test conducted in Inner Mongolia on September 22. This test is seen as a significant milestone in the development of China’s reusable rocket technology, marking the first time an orbital rocket was used instead of a test rocket.
According to Deep Blue Aerospace, the three engines initially ignited as planned, propelling the rocket to a high altitude. The landing phase began smoothly, with two engines shutting down as intended. However, when the rocket attempted to land on the designated pad, the landing mechanism malfunctioned, causing Nebula-1 to crash hard, resulting in an explosion and partial damage.
The rocket operates on a mixture of kerosene and liquid oxygen.
Nebula-1 is a two-stage rocket with a diameter of 3.35 meters, powered by a mixture of kerosene and liquid oxygen. It features nine Thunder-R1 engines that vary thrust, produced using 3D printing technology, in the first stage. The second stage is equipped with a single engine. This design allows the rocket to transport 2,000 kg to low Earth orbit (LEO), with a future upgraded version capable of carrying up to 8,000 kg to LEO.
In May 2022, Deep Blue Aerospace successfully conducted a test flight reaching an altitude of one kilometer and landing. However, the test on September 22 was the first time the Thunder-R engine, intended for orbital launches, was utilized. Experts are currently reviewing data from recent tests to determine the cause of the malfunction.
Deep Blue Aerospace stated that it plans to conduct the next high-altitude vertical takeoff and landing test in November, drawing lessons from the first attempt. In addition to Nebula-1, Deep Blue Aerospace is also developing the more powerful Nebula-2 rocket, which will have the capability to transport 20,000 kg to low Earth orbit.
