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Sustainability Times
6 days ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'China Fires Nine-Engine Monster': This Reusable Rocket Just Shook SpaceX's Dominance in a Way No One Expected
IN A NUTSHELL 🚀 Landspace successfully conducted a static fire test for its Zhuque-3 rocket, marking a crucial step toward its first orbital launch. successfully conducted a static fire test for its rocket, marking a crucial step toward its first orbital launch. 🔧 The rocket features the Tianque-12A engine, utilizing methane-liquid oxygen propellants for improved efficiency and environmental sustainability. engine, utilizing methane-liquid oxygen propellants for improved efficiency and environmental sustainability. 💥 Static fire tests are essential for rocket development, ensuring all systems function correctly before the full-scale launch, as demonstrated by Landspace 's meticulous preparation. 's meticulous preparation. 🌌 The Zhuque-3's success highlights China's ambition to lead in reusable rocket technology, challenging established aerospace giants like SpaceX. In a groundbreaking development, Chinese rocket startup Landspace has successfully conducted a static fire test for its Zhuque-3 rocket, marking a significant milestone in China's ambitious space endeavors. This test is a crucial step toward the eventual orbital launch of the Zhuque-3, a reusable rocket designed to propel China into the forefront of space technology alongside giants like SpaceX. The static fire took place at the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Test Zone, showcasing China's commitment to advancing its reusable launch vehicle capabilities. As the global space race intensifies, Landspace's successful test underscores its potential to emerge as a major player in the industry. Zhuque-3 Rocket Orbital Launch Preparations Landspace's Zhuque-3 rocket is poised to revolutionize China's approach to space exploration. At the heart of this vehicle is the Tianque-12A engine, a proprietary technology utilizing methane and liquid oxygen as propellants. This innovative engine design promises increased efficiency and reduced environmental impact, a nod to the future of sustainable space travel. During the static fire test, the rocket's nine engines ignited sequentially, generating an impressive 7,542 kilonewtons of thrust for 45 continuous seconds. This successful test is a testament to Landspace's engineering prowess and a precursor to the rocket's upcoming first flight. Landspace's achievements are part of a broader movement within Chinese aerospace to emulate the success of SpaceX's reusable rocket technology. With Space Pioneer already making headlines by reaching orbit on its first attempt, the race is on for Chinese companies to establish themselves as leaders in the space industry. The Zhuque-3's successful static fire test is a significant step in this direction, laying the groundwork for future advancements in China's space capabilities. China's Massive Nuclear Laser Project Exposed by U.S. Satellite—This Shocking Military Development Could Tip the Balance of Power Landspace's Launch Plans Looking ahead, Landspace has ambitious plans for the Zhuque-3 rocket. The first orbital launch is tentatively scheduled for the third quarter of the year, featuring the prototype of the reusable Haolong cargo spacecraft. Developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute, the Haolong spacecraft represents a new era in reusable space technology, aligning with global trends towards sustainability and cost-efficiency. Landspace's journey has not been without challenges. The company's initial launch attempt in 2018 with the Zhuque-1 vehicle ended in failure. However, perseverance paid off in July 2023 when the Zhuque-2 became the first methane-liquid oxygen rocket to reach orbit. This resilience highlights Landspace's commitment to innovation and its potential to make significant contributions to the global space industry. As Landspace prepares for the Zhuque-3's inaugural flight, the successful static fire test serves as a crucial validation of its capabilities. 'China Achieves Unthinkable Feat': This Bold Extraction of 99.9% Ultra-Pure Rubidium from Salt Lake Brine Stuns the World The Significance of Static Fire Tests Static fire tests are a vital component of rocket development, serving as a dress rehearsal for the actual launch. During these tests, the rocket stage is anchored to the ground, and the engines are fired to assess their performance. This step is critical in ensuring that all systems function correctly before the full-scale launch. While these tests are essential, they are not without risk. SpaceX's recent Starship test exemplifies the potential for dramatic outcomes, with a massive explosion following a static fire attempt. Landspace's recent successful static fire test demonstrates the company's meticulous attention to detail and comprehensive testing procedures. By performing essential steps such as propellant loading, tank pressurization, and staged engine ignition, Landspace has ensured that the Zhuque-3 is well-prepared for its upcoming launch. This achievement is a testament to the company's commitment to safety and precision in its pursuit of space exploration. 'China's Bold Plan Unveiled': A Deep-Sea Space Station 6560 Feet Underwater Set to Revolutionize Marine Exploration by 2030 The Future of Reusable Rockets The Zhuque-3 rocket represents the future of China's space ambitions, with a focus on reusable technology that promises to reduce costs and increase efficiency. Weighing approximately 1,257,000 pounds (570 metric tons) at launch and standing at a height of 217 feet (66 meters), the Zhuque-3 is named after the Vermillion bird from Chinese mythology, symbolizing renewal and transformation. This naming is fitting, as the rocket embodies China's aspirations for a leading role in the global space race. As Landspace prepares for the Zhuque-3's orbital launch, the world watches with anticipation. The successful static fire test marks a pivotal moment in the company's journey towards becoming a major player in space exploration. With reusable technology at the forefront, the Zhuque-3 sets the stage for a new era in China's space program, challenging established players and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. With the Zhuque-3's successful static fire test, Landspace is on the brink of a significant leap forward in space technology. This achievement reinforces China's position as a formidable contender in the global space race, with ambitions to rival and perhaps surpass established aerospace giants. As the Zhuque-3 continues to progress towards its first orbital launch, we are left to wonder: How will the emergence of reusable rocket technology reshape the future of space exploration and international cooperation in the coming decades? 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Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Chinese Spacecraft Accused of Dumping Experimental Fuel in Streak Seen Across American Sky
Across the American West, a massive glowing streak appeared in the skies last weekend — and an experimental rocket fuel seems to have been its source. As Live Science reports, the spectacular light show was almost certainly the result of spent fuel from ZhuQue-2E, a rocket from the Chinese startup Landspace that used a methane-based fuel known "methalox" as its upper stage burned. Launched on May 17, the rocket took off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. On the other side of the Pacific Ocean, a mega-bright streak was seen over at least seven American states — Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Utah, and Washington — and skywatchers online began speculating about what could have caused it. Around that same time, the Space Weather blog noted that the radiant tails were likely from the Chinese rocket. Harvard astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell later confirmed, per his own measurements, that the source of the "unusual luminous cloud" seen out west was from a ZhuQue-2E "fuel dump at the upper stage." As footage from the incredible spectacle shows, the massively bright streak lit up the entire night sky, which in some areas was already illuminated by auroras from a geomagnetic storm that just so happened to have occurred at the same time. Soon after the rocket made it to space, skywatchers began posting amazing footage of the mega-bright glowing streak — and as SpaceWeather noted at the time, those radiant streaks also took place during an aurora, which was caused by a geomagnetic storm that happened at the time same time. In the so-called "Methane Race to Orbit," Landspace scored a massive goal for its home country back in 2023, when it became the first company to successfully launch a rocket — another ZhuQue-2E, and its second such attempt — using methalox. In subsequent years, the American companies United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin became the second and third to launch spacecraft into orbit using the methane-based fuel, which is lauded by experts as far cleaner than the standard RP-1 kerosene that produces carbon dioxide when burned. In a prior interview with SpaceNews, rocket propulsion expert Filippo Maggi explained that although methane is, like CO2, also a greenhouse gas, it burns cleaner than RP-1 — and provides more energy, too. "If you produce a good propulsion unit, the efficiency of that unit can be as high as 99.5 percent," Maggi told the site back in 2021. "That means that the residues of methane would be basically zero. You might have some carbon monoxide released instead of carbon dioxide. But that would be very little." More on China's space case: Mysterious Bacteria Not Found on Earth Are Growing on China's Space Station
