China's LandSpace Leads the Way with Methane-Powered Rockets
TL;DR
Chinese launch startup Landspace successfully launched its third Zhuque-2 rocket, carrying satellites into orbit for the first time. The rocket, powered by methane-liquid oxygen engines, lifted off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Landspace also revealed plans for a new stainless steel rocket, Zhuque-3, with a larger payload capacity and potential for reuse. The company aims to ramp up production and launch cadence, with plans to launch three Zhuque-2 rockets in 2024, six in 2025, and 12 in 2026. Landspace is part of China's growing commercial space industry, which has seen several successful launches by various companies this year.
- Landspace launches third methane Zhuque-2, targets 2025 launch of new stainless steel rocket SpaceNews
- China LandSpace's methane-powered rocket sends satellites into orbit Reuters
- China's LandSpace beats SpaceX, pioneers unique rocket tech - Times of India IndiaTimes
- Chinese methane-powered rocket launches satellites into orbit Al Jazeera English
- Chinese Startup Pulls Off Second Methane-Fueled Rocket Launch Bloomberg
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