Today: 11 July 2025
14 July 2023
1 min read

China launches methane-powered rocket beating SpaceX

This was the second flight mission of the Zhuque-2 carrier rocket, after an unsuccessful launch on December 14, last year…reports Asian Lite News

China on Wednesday became the first country to successfully launch a new methane-powered carrier rocket into space, beating Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

Chinese private aerospace company LandSpace’s Zhuque-2 carrier rocket blasted off at 9 a.m. Beijing Time (6.30 a.m. IST) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi desert in China, and completed the flight mission according to the procedure, Xinhua news agency reported.

This was the second flight mission of the Zhuque-2 carrier rocket, after an unsuccessful launch on December 14, last year.

With the successful launch, LandSpace is now at the forefront for the race to liquid oxygen methane rocket technology.

Methane-powered engines are known for high performance and low operational costs. These are particularly suited for companies aiming for reusable rockets. 

Zhuque-2 is the first rocket in the world to successfully deliver a test payload into sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), the South China Morning Post reported.

Earlier this year, two other liquid oxygen methane rockets — the Terran 1 from Relativity Space in the US and SpaceX’s Starship — failed in their maiden attempts to reach orbit.

The Zhuque-2 is a two-stage liquid-propellant carrier rocket, and is 49.5 metres long rocket with a diameter of 3.35 metres, according to China Space News. It has a carrying capacity of six tonnes for low Earth orbit and four tonnes for SSO.

Earlier in April, another Chinese private aerospace company Space Pioneer successfully launched liquid-propelled Tianlong-2.

ALSO READ-ESA to lend tracking support for ISRO missions

Previous Story

‘Chinese firms controlling Kenyan public services in name of assistance’

Next Story

Death toll rises in Kurram tribal clashes in Pakistan

Latest from -Top News

Masdar powers ahead in UK

€15 billion clean energy alliance powers ahead with East Anglia THREE investment and Baltic Eagle energisation….reports Asian Lite News Masdar, the UAE-based global clean energy powerhouse, and Iberdrola, one of the world’s

Indian Doctor Gets Top Sharjah Award

The award was presented by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah. In a moment of immense pride for the Indian diaspora, renowned paediatrician-turned-entrepreneur Dr.

Peace talks in the desert

President H.H. Sheikh Mohamed reiterated the UAE’s unwavering support for initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable peace, dialogue, and development in the South Caucasus. He also applauded the willingness of the Armenian and

World’s energy thirst to grow: OPEC

UAE sticks to 5 million bpd oil output goal as OPEC launches new World Oil Outlook at Vienna seminar…reports Asian Lite News Haitham Al Ghais, Secretary-General of the Organisation of the Petroleum

Red Sea Warzone

Iran-backed rebels intensify maritime assaults in support of Gaza; US and EU condemn abductions, Israel intercepts missile….reports Asian Lite News The Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have stepped up their maritime offensive in the
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Chinese men working on CPEC arm themselves after Dasu attack

Chinese workers and engineers, wherever they work within Pakistan, are

Chinese hackers breach Secy Raimondo’s emails

Multiple officials said the attack was aimed at individual email