星河动力空间科技有限公司 Galactic Energy- Galaxy Power (Beijing) Space Technology Co., Ltd. Located in Block D, Aviation Technology Plaza, E-Town, and Beijing – Beijing – China – People’s Republic of China ….Galaxy Aerospace is the first private aerospace company in China to achieve successful continuous launches, the first to send commercial networked satellites into a 500km sun-synchronous orbit, and the first to master the ability to launch multiple satellites with one carrier rocket. At present, Galactic Energy’s research and development team has a total of more than 100 employees, including 8 doctors and 20 masters. 90% of the staff has more than 5 years’ working experience in spaceflight industry with solid theoretical foundation and rich engineering experience.
Moreover, according to the needs of launch vehicle development, Galactic Energy also invites the experts in rocket integration, pneumatic, attitude control, engine, structure, policy, launch site, security and other aspects of the industry as our advisers. In addition, Galactic Energy also has a professional management and scientific research support team to ensure the whole process of rocket research, development, supply chain, support chain to be in a smooth operation condition.
The first phase of the launch pad for Galactic Energy’s Pallas series rockets,
On the Month of May 2026 located in the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Test Zone, Inner Mongolia, China, People’s Republic of China. , was officially completed and put into operation recently. As the dedicated launch pad for the Pallas series liquid-propellant launch vehicles, it will fully support the entire process of testing, fuelling, and launch of the Pallas-1 reusable launch vehicle. (The Pallas series rocket launch pad…)
“智神星一号 Zhishenxing-1 Pallas -1 ” is a medium-to-large reusable liquid-fueled launch vehicle independently developed by Galactic Energy Corporation. It is scheduled to make its maiden flight on May 30, 2026, at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, simultaneously verifying orbital-level recovery technology, marking a key milestone in China’s commercial space sector.
I. Mission and Technical Characteristics of the Maiden Flight
- Launch plan and objectives
- The maiden flight will take place on May 30, 2026, at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at its self-built launch pad. The maiden flight will also include a vertical recovery test of the first stage, and the satellite is designed to be reused 25-50 times.@DaWanNews5121852
- Payload capacity : The rocket is 49-50 meters long and 3.35 meters in diameter. It has a takeoff mass of 283 tons and a maximum payload of 7-8 tons to low Earth orbit (up to 10 tons with an optional upper stage). The payload capacity can be increased to 17.5 tons with a clustered configuration (CBC).
- Breakthrough in core technologies
- Power system : The first stage uses seven self-developed CQ-50 liquid oxygen/kerosene engines in parallel, with deep thrust variation (32%-105%) and multiple start-up capabilities; the second stage is equipped with a single vacuum version CQ-50V engine with a vacuum thrust of 60 tons
- Recovery technology : By using a redundant control strategy (instructions can be redistributed in case of single-machine failure) and 3D printing technology, production costs are reduced by 15%, the cycle time is shortened by 30%, and high-frequency launches are supported.
- Ground test progress
- All major tests will be completed by 2025: the second-stage power test will verify the reliability of the entire mission profile, the first-stage sea test will assess the seven-engine joint oscillation and parking scheme, and tests such as fairing separation and interstage separation will all meet the standards
II. Industry Positioning and Strategic Significance
- Commercial value
- Cost reduction and efficiency improvement : By reusing the rocket, the launch cost can be reduced to RMB 10,000-20,000 per kilogram, which is more than 60% lower than that of traditional rockets, and it is suitable for the needs of large constellation networking (such as the Qianfan constellation).
- Supply chain collaboration : The rocket body uses carbon fiber composite materials (doubling the strength and reducing the weight by 50%) and high-temperature resistant silicon carbide coating, which drives the growth of orders for upstream material companies. For example, 30% of the production capacity of a certain carbon fiber supplier has been locked in.
- Industry competitive landscape
- Together with the Blue Arrow Zhuque-3 and the Long March 10B, it will form a “three-pronged approach” for China’s commercial aerospace in 2026, promoting the development of reusable technology from verification to engineering application.
- If the maiden flight is successful, Galactic Energy will achieve full coverage of its product line, from solid rockets (Ceres-1) to liquid reusable rockets, consolidating its leading position in the private aerospace industry
III. Development Process and Challenges
- Timeline :
- Interstage separation tests will be completed in 2023;37
- Breakthrough in fairing technology expected in 2024;47
- The first-stage powertrain test will conclude in November 2025.6
- The batch delivery of engines will be accelerated in April 2026 to support high-density launches.26
- Risk warning :
The failure of the maiden flight of Tianlong-3 (April 2026) has raised questions in the industry about the reliability of privately-owned large rockets. Regulatory approvals are becoming stricter, and Zhishenxing-1 needs to avoid risks in its propulsion system.
IV. Future Planning
Starting with the Pallas-1 satellite, Galactic Energy will advance the development of the more powerful Pallas-2 satellite, build a full transportation system covering micro-nano satellites to heavy payloads, and explore electromagnetic launch technology (initial velocity Mach 2-2.5) to further increase transportation capacity by 2-3 times.
Images and visuals are from their respectives also Galactic Energy is located in Block D, Aviation Technology Plaza, E-Town, Beijing- China – People’s Republic of China