#video on #China’s eight most promising reusable #space rocket companies: #LandSpace (whose #ZhuQue-3 is powered by TQ-12As), iSpace (whose Hyperbola-3 is powered by Jiaodian-2s), Galactic Energy (whose Pallas-1 is powered by Cangqiong-50s), CAS Space (whose Lijian-2 is powered by YF-102s), #Space-Pioneer (whose Tianlong-3 is powered by Tianhuo-12), Orienspace (whose Gravity-2 is powered by Yuanli-85s), Deep Blue Aerospace (whose Nebula-1 is powered by Leiting-1Rs), and SAST (whose engine is called Longyuan). SAST (the Shanghai Academy of Space Technology), LandSpace, and iSpace are using methalox, while the others are kerolox. Seven of these (excluding Deep Blue Aerospace) already have regular launch income from disposable rockets, mostly solid-fueled. Also Long March 10 (which I think is made by the government) is going to reusable boosters and is going to be trying to catch them in a sort of crisscross of movable tethers. China plans to launch two Starlink-like megaconstellations called #Qianfan (by Shanghai Spacecom, 15000 satellites) and #Xingwang (by China SatNet, 13000 satellites).
on 02024-12-06#video of the first successful (10km) vertical-takeoff, vertical-landing flight by the first stage of #China’s LandSpace’s #Zhuque-3 (朱雀三) on September 11. “ZhuQue-3 is a partially reusable, liquid oxygen and liquid methane (LOX+LCH4) powered, launch vehicle developed by #LandSpace Technology Corporation (蓝箭, Blue Arrow). According to the company, the test was conducted with a single-stage liquid oxygen/liquid methane rocket, with a diameter of 3.35 metres and a length of 18.3 metres, made from the same high-strength stainless steel airframe structure that will be used on the ZhuQue-3 rocket.” But 3.35m is less than the 4.5m diameter of ZhuQue-3.
on 02024-12-06#China #video on #Zhuque-3 (朱雀三) reusable #space rocket 10 months ago, built by private space exploration company #Landspace, fueled by lox and methane. 9 1000-kN (100-tonne) TQ-12B engines, 76.6m tall, 4.5m diameter, 21.3 tonnes (?). Second stage has a single TQ-15B engine blowing 1183kN at 3500m/s. Looks very, very similar to a #SpaceX Falcon. Slogan: “The key to freer access to space.”
on 02024-12-06