China's startup Landspace has been actively planning to build and design a reusable stainless steel rocket.
Even SpaceX's massive and powerful rocket, Starship, is constructed from stainless steel instead of carbon fiber. It is designed for missions that will send future astronauts to the moon or Mars.
The unveiling of this ambitious project represents a significant stride forward in China's launch vehicle technology. China's space program has predominantly relied on expendable launch vehicles for its missions.
According to SpaceNews, Landspace CEO Zhang Changwu disclosed that the new rocket, Zhuque-3, is set to utilize stainless propellant tanks and clusters of Tianque methane-liquid oxygen propellant rocket engines.
This announcement was made during the Mingyue Lake Aerospace Information Industry International Ecosystem Event in Chongqing, China, on November 21.
LandSpace announced its new version of Zhuque-3 stainless steel reusable rocket.
LEO 20t expanable，16.5t recovery under trajectory, 11t return to the pad.
via https://t.co/Sk4DrCRv6t pic.twitter.com/eVHmYTXieU— Ace of Razgriz (@raz_liu) November 21, 2023
The envisaged payload capacity of the rocket
The anticipated payload capacity of the two-stage launcher is expected to be 20 metric tons to low Earth orbit (LEO) in its expendable configuration.
"Recovery of the first stage downrange will allow 16.5 tons to LEO, while a landing back at the launch site will offer a capacity of 11 tons to LEO. A render of the rocket shows grid fins and deployable landing legs on the first stage," added the report.
Details such as a prospective test launch date and rocket size were not revealed, indicating that the proposal is still in its early phases.
However, constructing a stainless steel rocket is fraught with difficulties due to the weight and characteristics of steel and the intricacies of steel manufacture and fabrication.
The report adds that once functional, the launch vehicle rocket will most likely face competition with other companies in the country.
Space Pioneer, another startup, is gearing up to launch its Tianlong-3 rocket next year. This rocket will carry 17 tons to a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) or 14 tons to a 500-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit.
The introduction of both rockets highlights the expanding landscape of commercial launch initiatives in China, particularly with respect to enhanced payload capabilities.
In the initial phases of commercial launch endeavors in China, plans focused on light-lift, solid-fueled launchers aimed at deploying small commercial or scientific satellites.
The current emergence of rockets like Zhuque-3 and Tianlong-3 signifies a notable shift towards more substantial and versatile launch capabilities within the Chinese commercial space sector.
Furthermore, Landspace continues its commitment to innovation in the burgeoning space technology market.
Originally published on Interesting Engineering : Original article