Startup bets on a cheap, cleaner fuel that it hopes will help develop reusable rockets
BEIJING (Reuters) – A new methane-fueled rocket developed by China’s LandSpace Technology launched six satellites into orbit on Saturday, as the private startup bets on a cheap, cleaner fuel that it hopes will help develop reusable rockets.
The Zhuque-2E Y2 carrier rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, marking the fifth flight of the Zhuque-2 series, according to a company statement.
Beijing-based LandSpace became the world’s first company to launch a liquid methane and liquid oxygen rocket in July 2023, ahead of US rivals including Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin.
In recent years, interest has grown in the launch of transport vehicles powered by methane, which is considered less polluting, safer and cheaper than the most commonly used hydrocarbon fuels.
LandSpace has increased the rocket’s payload, reflecting increased demand in China’s booming commercial space sector amid growing competition to form a satellite constellation as an alternative to Musk’s Starlink.
