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Meet Zhuque-2, China’s Methane-Powered Rocket That Promises to Be More Sustainable, Cheaper, and Efficient. The Vehicle Recently Launched Six Satellites Into Orbit.
The Chinese startup Landspace launched six satellites into Earth’s orbit last Saturday (17) in its fifth launch with its Zhuque-2E Y2 rocket, which uses methane. The mission took place in a designated area of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the northeast of the country. Today we will get to know the methane-powered rocket and its importance to the aerospace market.
Zhuque-2 Can Carry Up to 4 Tons of Payload
The methane-powered rocket launched six satellites into space. The new devices will be responsible for capturing synthetic aperture radar images in the C band, optical remote sensing, and scientific experiments. The others were satellites of the Tiansuan constellation, equipped with argon ion engines, as well as a satellite with gamma and X-ray detectors.
Zhuque-2 is a vehicle capable of carrying up to 4 tons of payload to sun-synchronous orbits of 500 km. It is powered by methane, a compound considered less polluting, cheaper, and safer than traditional hydrocarbon fuels. Additionally, methane can be used as propellant for reusable rockets.
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The mission also marked the first time the Chinese company used a propulsion method in which liquid oxygen and methane are cooled to temperatures below the boiling point. The company carried out the procedure to achieve greater thrust for the rocket.
Currently, the company is working on a new rocket that promises to be a larger satellite launcher with two stages. The future vehicle will have the capacity for payloads to low Earth orbit of up to 21 tons in its disposable configuration and may undergo static ignition tests in June.
In addition to delivering excellent performance, Zhuque-2 also generated an unusual phenomenon, leaving a long clear trail in the sky, surprising photographers who were capturing an aurora borealis. According to photographer Tyler Schlitt, discovering that the event is related to the launch of a Chinese rocket is incredible.
The First Flight of the Methane-Powered Rocket Took Place in 2023
It’s important to mention that China continues to close the gap with the US in the space sector. Although the country’s space program has almost identical origins to its American rival, its most significant milestones have come with great delays. Not far behind, the CMSA sent its first astronaut into space 42 years after the NASA achieved the same feat.
In recent years, however, the landscape has changed. In 2023, China achieved a significant breakthrough by successfully completing the Zhuque 2 Y2 mission. At that time, the methane-powered rocket took off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, operating with metalox (methane and liquid oxygen) and, after flying away from the launch pad, safely reached orbit and placed a test payload in Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO).
However, this was not the first attempt by the Chinese company to test the rocket. In 2022, LandSpace launched a Zhuque-2 rocket, but a failure in one of the second-stage engines thwarted the test. Now, after implementing a series of improvements, the Chinese have achieved a very important milestone.
China Completes Tests with New Methane Engine
China has completed full tests of a 140-ton liquid oxygen-methane engine for reusable rockets this month, according to the engine manufacturer. Developed by the Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, this rocket engine has the highest thrust among current open-cycle engines using liquid oxygen and methane in the country.
It is worth mentioning that the model was designed to serve as a power source for reusable rockets and will play a crucial role in future space-to-Earth transportation systems, reusable launch vehicles, and development, noting that it was completed in just seven months.
The commercial space sector was listed in the Chinese government’s 2024 work report as a new engine for economic growth. The academy states that more efforts will be devoted to developing heavier engines, specifically targeting reusable liquid oxygen-methane engines of 200 tons.
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