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-2nd y2 rocket broke at 12:12 pm (0412 GMT) of the Jiuquan satellite launch center in northwest China, marking the fifth flight for the Zhuque-2 series, according to a company statement.
Landspace, based in Beijing, became the world’s first company to launch a methane liquid oxygen rocket in July 2023, ahead of US rivals, including Musk Spacex and Jeff Bezos’s blue origin.
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 was sent excessively to the orbit 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 development of China SMEs backed by the State.
Landspace raised 900 million yuan ($ 120 million) in December of a state fund focused on advanced manufacturing, while in 2020 he raised 1.2 billion yuan ($ 170 million), Chinese corporate databases are shown.
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Posted on May 17, 2025
