Beijing-based SpaceTech startup LandSpace blasted off Zhuque-2 carrier rocket on 12th July at 9 a.m. (0100 GMT) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China and completed its flight according to plan.
Earlier, LandSpace's first attempt of methane-liquid oxygen rocket failed in December last year, when the it lost number of payloads.
In recent times liquid oxygen-liquid methane (LO2/LCH4) has been considered as a potential “green” propellant alternative for future space exploration missions as it is considered as less polluting and non-toxic.
Powered by four TQ-12 liquid methane-liquid oxygen (methalox) engines, ZhuQue-2 rocket is designed by LandSpace. It stands 49.5 meters tall with a rocket body diameter of 3.35 meters. The medium-sized launch vehicle has a carrying capacity of up to six tons into a 200-kilometer low-Earth orbit and up to four tons into a 500-kilometer Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO).
In recent times liquid oxygen-liquid methane (LO2/LCH4) has been considered as a potential “green” propellant alternative for future space exploration missions as it is considered as less polluting and non-toxic.
Powered by four TQ-12 liquid methane-liquid oxygen (methalox) engines, ZhuQue-2 rocket is designed by LandSpace. It stands 49.5 meters tall with a rocket body diameter of 3.35 meters. The medium-sized launch vehicle has a carrying capacity of up to six tons into a 200-kilometer low-Earth orbit and up to four tons into a 500-kilometer Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO).
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| ZhuQue-2 |
ZhuQue-2 is made out of off-the-shelf parts as much as possible, and LandSpace could reduce the cost of the whole rocket-stack even further.
The 8 years old spacetech startup has already begun assembling its third Zhuque-2 (“Vermillion Bird-2”), indicating that it would launch an another rocket before the end of the year.
LandSpace could now begin mass-producing the Zhuque-2, having finalized and verified its design. The company said to have multiple orders for launches for the Tianlong-2, and aims to launch the Falcon 9-class Tianlong-3 in the first half of 2024.
Indian Space agency ISRO is also reportedly working on developing two ‘LOx methane’ engines (liquid oxygen oxidiser and methane fuel) engines, since 2019. In this month, ISRO tested semi-cryogenic engine utilizes a propellant combination of Liquid Oxygen (LOX) and Kerosene.
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