BEIJING: Chinese aerospace firm LandSpace Technology has achieved a significant milestone in the commercial space race with the successful launch of its enhanced methane-powered Zhuque-2E Y2 rocket, placing six satellites into orbit on Saturday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China.
The lift-off, which occurred at 12:12 p.m. local time (04:12 GMT), marked the fifth flight for the Zhuque-2 rocket series and the latest demonstration of China’s private sector capabilities in low-cost, cleaner launch solutions. Beijing-based LandSpace, founded in 2015, was the first globally to successfully deploy a methane-liquid oxygen (methalox) rocket in July 2023—outpacing US aerospace giants such as SpaceX and Blue Origin.
The Zhuque-2E series reflects the firm’s growing emphasis on reusable technologies. Unlike traditional hydrocarbon-fuelled launch vehicles, methalox propulsion offers significant environmental and safety advantages, and is increasingly viewed as essential for next-generation, reusable rocket systems.
LandSpace has steadily improved the Zhuque-2’s payload capacity to meet the rising demand of China’s commercial satellite sector. Saturday’s mission carried six satellites developed predominantly by Changsha-based Spacety (Changsha Tianyi Space Science and Technology Research Institute), a key player in China’s satellite manufacturing industry.
Li Xiaoming, Vice-President of Spacety, outlined during a livestream hosted by LandSpace that the payload included a radar satellite, two multispectral satellites, and three scientific experiment satellites, ranging from 20kg to 300kg in mass.
The radar satellite, capable of penetrating clouds and operating under all-weather conditions day or night, offers precision imaging at millimetre-level surface shifts. Such capabilities are essential for applications in urban development, transport infrastructure, and energy sector monitoring.
The scientific satellites will contribute to China’s deep-space exploration programmes, while the multispectral satellites will support environmental monitoring and mineral resource identification.
This latest launch also marked LandSpace’s first implementation of a propulsion enhancement involving the cryogenic chilling of both liquid oxygen and methane below their respective boiling points, resulting in greater thrust and performance.
LandSpace is currently developing reusable rocket technologies, with founder and CEO Zhang Changwu confirming plans for a test launch in the second half of 2025. The company’s innovations align with industry trends established by SpaceX, whose reusable launch systems have drastically reduced costs and accelerated mission frequencies.
The commercial space sector in China has expanded rapidly since 2014, following policy reforms that welcomed private capital. LandSpace has been one of the leading and best-funded players, having raised significant investment from notable backers including HongShan (formerly Sequoia Capital China), Country Garden’s investment arm, and the China SME Development Fund.
In December 2023, LandSpace secured 900 million yuan (approximately USD 120 million) from a state-owned fund focused on advanced manufacturing, following an earlier 1.2 billion yuan round in 2020, according to Chinese corporate filings.
While Spacety has previously faced scrutiny—sanctioned by the US Treasury in 2023 for alleged links to Russian military operations, allegations the company has denied—it continues to play a central role in China’s commercial satellite development landscape.
With technical upgrades now in place and reusable technologies on the horizon, LandSpace is poised to strengthen its position in the competitive global launch services market.
-Reuters
