Beijing-based Landspace Technology etched its name in history on December 8, 2023, with a successful launch that marked two major milestones for the Chinese space industry. Not only did their Zhuque-2 ("Vermillion Bird-2") rocket successfully send satellites into orbit for the first time, but the company also revealed ambitious plans for a new stainless steel rocket known as the Zhuque-3.
Zhuque-2 rockets
As per Reuters, the Zhuque-2, powered by a clean-burning methane-liquid oxygen engine, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert at 6:39 pm Eastern Time. This marked a significant achievement for Landspace, considering their failed attempt in December 2022. This successful launch carried three satellites: the Honghu, Honghu-2, and Tianyi-33.
The Zhuque-2 itself is a 49.5-meter-long marvel of engineering, capable of carrying 1,500 kilograms to a 500-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit. With plans to upgrade the second-stage engine and increase production, Landspace aims to launch three Zhuque-2 rockets in 2024, six in 2025, and a staggering 12 in 2026.
Zhuque-3 and larger rockets
But the excitement doesn't stop there. Landspace used this momentous occasion to unveil their vision for the future: the Zhuque-3. This behemoth of a stainless steel rocket will boast a 76.6-meter height, a 4.5-meter diameter, and a lift capacity of 21,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit. With reusability a key focus, the Zhuque-3 is designed to be used up to 20 times, drastically reducing launch costs.
The company plans to conduct a 100-meter-level hop test of the Zhuque-3 by the end of the year, China Youth Network reported. It expects to complete the final assembly and launch the Zhuque-3 for the first time in 2025.
Landspace's ambition continued after the Zhuque-3. CEO Zhang Changwu revealed plans for an even larger rocket, powered by a 200-ton full-flow staged-combustion-cycle engine, currently slated for completion in 2028. This engine will propel a reusable launch vehicle with a diameter of 10 meters, further solidifying Landspace's position as a major player in China's space race.
China's commercial space industry
Landspace's achievements are not just their own. They represent a significant turning point for China's commercial space industry. Established in 2015, Landspace is one of the first private companies to enter this sector, largely dominated by state-owned entities. China has witnessed a meteoric rise in commercial space activity this year alone, with six private companies reaching orbit – including LandSpace.
The startup is part of a wave of Chinese commercial launch companies that emerged after the Chinese government opened up some segments of the space sector to private investment in late 2014. The move was seen as a response to the commercial developments in the U.S.
China's commercial space industry has made significant strides in 2023, with several players achieving orbital launches. Together, these companies account for 16 of China's 58 orbital launches this year, marking a breakthrough for the country's burgeoning private space sector.
Originally published on Interesting Engineering : Original article