The Zhuque-2 rocket launched Wednesday from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert and left an unusual purplish trail, a product of a unique methane fuel. The rocket flew successfully, but failed to reach orbit and carry her 14 satellites on board.
Chinese private aerospace company Landspace wanted to lead the use of methane. next generation rocket fuel— which is considered cleaner and safer than liquid hydrogen, kerosene, and other propellants currently in use.liquid methane good choice When it comes to rocket reusability, it’s a coveted feature for space companies.
Beijing-based Landspace launched its doomed Zhuque-2 at 3:30 am ET on December 14th. This was supposed to be the rocket’s first orbital mission. After launch, the rocket’s second stage suffered an engine failure and the mission failed. announced on wednesday. Outside observers had already speculated that the mission had failed before the company announced it.
Telemetry data suggests the rocket reached a speed of 11,000 miles per hour (5 kilometers per second) when it needed to reach about 17,500 miles per hour (7.8 kilometers per second) to maintain a stable orbit. increase. According to Daily AstronautThe rocket carried a commercial payload of 14 satellites, all of which were lost (why the company thought it was a good idea to launch so many satellites on an unproven rocket). I don’t know why, but it doesn’t matter).
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Despite its failure, the orbital test flight still hailed as a major milestone For China, and its civilian space industry as a whole.Chinese start-up tried Zhuque-1 also failed to reach orbit, but the company is now switching to using liquid methane as a propellant instead.
Had Landspace successfully launched a rocket into orbit, the company would have beaten Elon Musk’s SpaceX by achieving this vaunted goal. SpaceX also wants to use liquid methane fuel to power next generation starship rocket, has not flown yet.The company’s Falcon 9 and Super Heavy Rocket Use kerosene as fuel.
Even before the first orbital test flight, Landspace was already preparing for Zhuque-2, SpaceNews’ second launch. reportAccording to SpaceNews, second and third models of the rocket are already in development, but Landspace aims to eventually make the rocket reusable.
China has made great strides in the spaceflight industry, both in the private and public sectors. in October, China launches final module It built its own space station in low earth orbit, completing an ambitious project to rival the International Space Station.there are some in china big plans for the moonsetting a future launch that could compete with NASA’s Artemis program.
Launching the first-ever methane-fueled rocket into orbit around the Earth will undoubtedly give China a significant edge over other space programs. Of course, it all depends on how well the second launch attempt goes.
more: China launches three astronauts to its fledgling space station
