China launches world’s first methane-fuelled space rocket

Category : Science and Tech Published on: July 14 2023

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China's ZhuQue-2 Y-2 has become the world's first methane-propelled rocket to successfully fly into orbit.
This was Landspace's second attempt after a failed launch in December.
This landmark achievement signifies a paradigm shift in the race towards cleaner, safer, and reusable space travel technology.
Zhuque-2, the methane-powered rocket, achieved the expected trajectory and completed its flight according to plan.
Moreover, the launch indicates significant progress in the development of reusable rockets, as methane engines offer excellent performance coupled with lower operational costs.
A methane-powered rocket, also known as Methalox, uses methane as the fuel and liquid oxygen (LOX) as the oxidizer. It operates based on the same principles as traditional launch vehicles but differs in terms of propellant choice and certain design considerations.
Methane is a hydrocarbon fuel that can be produced from various sources, including natural gas.
It offers several advantages as a rocket fuel, such as high energy density, good combustion characteristics, and availability.
LandSpace also became the second private Chinese company to launch a liquid-propellant rocket.
In April, Beijing Tianbing Technology successfully launched a kerosene-oxygen rocket, taking another step towards developing rockets that can be refueled and reused.