LandSpace, a leading private aerospace company in China, has achieved a major milestone in space innovation. On Saturday, the company successfully launched six satellites into orbit using its advanced Zhuque-2E Y2 rocket. This launch marks a significant step forward in developing cleaner, reusable rocket technology.
The mission lifted off at 1:30 p.m. local time from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, located in the Gobi Desert. Reports from Chinese state media and LandSpace officials confirm that all six satellites were deployed into their planned low-Earth orbits, meeting the mission’s key objectives.
The Zhuque-2E is a newly upgraded version of the Zhuque-2 rocket series. It uses a combination of liquid methane and liquid oxygen as fuel, a cleaner-burning option that is gaining popularity in the aerospace industry. This type of propellant is known for its efficiency and plays a vital role in making rockets more reusable in the long term.
Saturday’s flight was the fifth overall for the Zhuque-2 series but the first time the enhanced E variant had been launched. Its success places LandSpace among the growing list of global space players using methane-fueled engines. Companies like SpaceX are also advancing similar technology to support their reusable rocket programs.
Looking ahead, LandSpace plans to focus heavily on reusability. The company is developing features such as vertical landings and multi-use capabilities for future versions of the Zhuque-2 rocket. These upgrades could reduce launch costs and increase mission frequency.
Based in Beijing, LandSpace is part of a rapidly expanding wave of private companies contributing to China’s commercial space ambitions. In recent years, China has ramped up support for private aerospace ventures, fueling innovation and competition in the sector.
This successful mission highlights China’s growing presence in the global space race and its commitment to sustainable engineering and forward-thinking space exploration.
