On the 19th November 2025 Hours Hong- Kong SAR – Beijing time CNSA –China National Space Administration , China, People’s Republic of China At 1206 Hong Kong SAR- Beijing Time Beijing time on 19th November, 2025, my country successfully launched the satellite…At 12:01 PM on November 19th, the Long March 2C carrier rocket ignited and lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, successfully sending the Shijian-30 A, B, and C satellites into their predetermined orbits in a single launch.
[Long March 2C Rocket Successfully Launches Shijian-30 A, B, and C Satellites]
The Shijian-30 A, B, and C satellites were developed by the Eighth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and are mainly used for space environment exploration and related technology verification.
The Long March 2C rocket was developed by the First Academy of CASC. The Long March 2C rocket used in this mission has a two-stage basic configuration and is equipped with a 4.2-meter diameter fairing. . The Shijian-30A, B, and C satellites are mainly used for space environment exploration and related technology verification. This mission marks the 608th launch of the Long March series of carrier rockets …
The design of the Eighth Academy’s emblem this time is quite interesting: a long sword shatters a casing with a circuit board pattern from top to bottom, revealing the Earth…
This launch was the 608th launch of the Long March series of carrier rockets.
Beijing Zhongke Aerospace Exploration Technology Co., Ltd. is the first domestic aerospace enterprise with mixed ownership, and it is also the target enterprise that Oriental Aerospace Port focuses on introducing. Relying on the scientific research strength and resource advantages of the Institute of Mechanics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Aerospace Flight Technology Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Aerospace Science and Technology has been committed to the research and development and integration of space technology and aerospace vehicles as a platform for the transformation of major national scientific research projects, as well as the transformation and provision of technological achievements. Aerospace launch service. The Lijian-1 rocket project also adds a brand-new name card to the Oriental Space Port, which will surely promote the construction of the Oriental Space Port to take a solid step forward.
The Lijian-1 Y11 carrier rocket has completed its final assembly and testing as planned at the CAS Space Industrialization Base and successfully passed the factory acceptance review. It is scheduled to launch nine satellites in one launch from the Jiuquan Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Test Zone in the near future.
The Lijian-1 is a four-stage solid-propellant launch vehicle developed by the Institute of Mechanics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and with the participation of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. It uses a solid-fuel engine, has a takeoff weight of 135 tons, a takeoff thrust of 200 tons, a total length of 30 meters, a core stage diameter of 2.65 meters, and a payload capacity of 1,500 kg to a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit . It features rapid launch and low-cost networking capabilities. [The rocket has made breakthroughs in several key technologies, including overall optimization design of large-tonnage solid launch vehicles, advanced power systems and thrust vector control, centralized-distributed modern aerospace electronics technology, low-cost rocket body structure and separation technology, intelligent flight control technology, ground use and hot launch technology of large-tonnage solid rockets. The number of products on the rocket is reduced by 50% compared with traditional rockets, and the ground launch process only requires two computers to complete the automated control
System Composition
Overall Design
The “Lijian-1” carrier rocket is the largest solid-propellant carrier rocket in China in terms of launch capacity. It features flexible and rapid launch methods and is mainly used for single and multiple satellite launches of small and medium-sized spacecraft into sun-synchronous orbit and other low-Earth orbits.
The “Lijian-1” carrier rocket has a series of outstanding advantages, such as large carrying capacity, high orbital accuracy, high inherent reliability, fast response speed, high launch efficiency, low support requirements, low launch cost, flexible and convenient use, and good environmental adaptability. It is suitable for low-cost and rapid networking launch of medium/low orbit satellite payloads.
The Lijian-1 rocket has a lift-off thrust of 200 tons and its main function is to launch satellites into sun-synchronous orbit and low Earth orbit . It is a four-stage solid-propellant launch vehicle that has entered the ranks of the world’s advanced solid-propellant launch vehicles in terms of payload capacity, orbital accuracy, design reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
It boasts six key technologies, 13 of which are being used for the first time in China. The first-stage engine has a propellant load of 71 tons and a thrust of 200 tons. This is the first time such a large, integrally packed propellant charge (weighing 70 kg) has been used. The entire combustion chamber is constructed from T700 carbon fibre . It exhibits strong rapid response capabilities, employing a “three-horizontal-one-vertical” assembly and transport method, ensuring the entire rocket is transported horizontally. It has minimal reliance on the launch tower, allowing for launch within hours in emergency situations. In terms of advancement, it is fully comparable to mainstream international solid-propellant rockets.
Low-cost and flexible launch is suitable for rapid satellite networking. Among the various innovative technologies, the integrated onboard avionics design and new ground-based telemetry and control method adopted by the Lijian-1 rocket can significantly reduce launch costs and simplify the launch process, making it very suitable for low-cost and rapid networking launch of small and medium-sized satellite payloads in low and medium orbits.
Design parameters
The Lijian-1 launch vehicle is a four-stage solid-propellant launch vehicle with a takeoff weight of 135 tons, a takeoff thrust of 200 tons, a total length of 30 meters, a core stage diameter of 2.65 meters, a fairing diameter of 2.65 meters in its first flight state, and a payload capacity of 1500 kg to a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit
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.
On the week of 19 November 2025, Recently, Galactic Energy Aerospace successfully completed a variable thrust test of the CQ-50 (CQ-50) liquid oxygen/kerosene engine, the main engine of the Zhishenxing-1 launch vehicle. The CQ-50 series engines utilize Galactic Energy Aerospace’s self-developed needle-bolt thrust chamber design, which boasts high combustion efficiency, strong adaptability, low production cost, and easy iterative optimization. It also exhibits advantages such as stable combustion and strong adjustment capabilities under various operating conditions. This test covered variable thrust experiments under three typical operating conditions, focusing on verifying five core technical indicators of variable thrust, providing crucial power support for the breakthrough in reusable technology of the Zhishenxing series.
Test of the Cangqiong-50 engine under low-condition start/shutdown + large-gradient step thrust + sinusoidal frequency sweep thrust.
the 32%-105% depth variable thrust test of the Cangqiong-50 engine .
the hybridization ratio pull-off test of the Cangqiong-50 engine’s secondary system.
深蓝航天 Deep Blue Limited – Deep Blue AerospaceLandspace One of sixty Chinese private space Carrier Rocket Companies in China-People’s Republic of China… As many of sixty plus Private Rocket Deep Blue Aerospace Co., Ltd. was established in 2017. The company is mainly a high-tech aerospace enterprise that focuses on the direction of liquid recovery and reusable launch vehicles and provides users with commercial launch services. Deep Blue Aerospace Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Nantong City, Jiangsu Province. At the same time, the company has rocket general and liquid engine R&D centers in Yizhuang, Beijing and Xi’an, Shaanxi, respectively, and a rocket power system test base in Tongchuan, Shaanxi…..
The Zhuque-3 rocket, carrying liquid oxygen and methane, aims to become China’s first rocket to be successfully launched into orbit and recovered.
From October 18th to 20th, 2025 (Beijing time), at Launch Complex 2 of LandSpace’s liquid oxygen-methane rocket in the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Test Zone of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the “Zhuque-3” Y1 carrier rocket successfully completed the first phase of its maiden flight mission—fueling and static ignition tests. With this, the maiden orbital flight of the large liquid oxygen-methane rocket “Zhuque-3” is imminent, marking a significant step forward in the development and application of Chinese liquid oxygen-methane rockets and reusable rockets.
It is expected to become the world’s first large all-liquid oxygen methane rocket to achieve orbit.
On December 9, 2023, the China Association for Science and Technology, together with *Global People* magazine, jointly hosted the “Dialogue with Scientists” event at the launch pad of LandSpace’s liquid oxygen-methane rocket at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. At the event, LandSpace officially launched its flagship product, the “Zhuque-3” large liquid oxygen-methane launch vehicle, a highly anticipated rocket design for China’s commercial space industry.
The Zhuque-3 (ZQ-3) is a large, dual-cryogenic liquid propellant launch vehicle officially launched and developed by LandSpace in August 2023. It is primarily designed for launching large and mega-sized low-Earth orbit satellite constellations, while also capable of performing high-Earth orbit launch missions. The rocket employs a two-stage tandem configuration, with the main structure made of stainless steel. Its main propulsion system utilizes a dual-component cryogenic propellant of liquid oxygen and liquid methane. This rocket is partially reusable, with its first stage capable of being reused at least 20 times.
“Tianque-12B” liquid oxygen methane engine
The first stage of the Zhuque-3 rocket is equipped with nine Tianque-12B liquid oxygen-methane engines. These engines use a gas generator cycle and are capable of multiple restarts and deep throttling for recovery. Each engine has a sea-level thrust of 1000 kN (approximately 102 tons) and a thrust-to-weight ratio greater than 160. To meet recovery requirements, the first stage is also equipped with four deployable sangular rudders, four deployable landing legs, and an attitude control system (RCS). The second stage is equipped with one Tianque-15B liquid oxygen-methane engine, also using a gas generator cycle, capable of at least three restarts, with a vacuum thrust of 1183 kN (approximately 121 tons) and a vacuum specific impulse of 3500 m/s (approximately 357 seconds).
The “Zhuque-3” rocket is designed to be 76.6 meters tall, with a first and second stage diameter of 4.5 meters. It is equipped with a 5.2-meter diameter fairing, has a takeoff mass of approximately 660 tons, and a takeoff thrust of approximately 900 tons. In its non-recovery state, the rocket has a payload capacity of 21.3 tons at an altitude of 450 kilometers in low Earth orbit (LEO). Its LEO payload capacity is 18.3 tons when recovered along the flight path (in the flight area) and 12.5 tons when recovered on return.
The Zhuque-3 is China’s first stainless steel launch vehicle and its first large liquid oxygen-methane launch vehicle. Its lower material and propellant costs give it the low-cost characteristics essential for commercial rockets. The Zhuque-3 (YY1) launch vehicle is expected to make its maiden flight in November 2025. At that time, it is expected to become the world’s first large all-liquid oxygen-methane launch vehicle to achieve orbital launch, marking another significant step in the global development and application of liquid oxygen-methane rockets and stimulating global research and development in this field. (Prior to this, the Vulcan and New Glenn rockets, which have completed their maiden flights, both had hydrogen-oxygen stage two sections.)
The challenge is to become the first Chinese carrier rocket to be successfully launched and recovered into orbit.
On December 22, 2015, UTC, after the Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched multiple satellites into low Earth orbit, SpaceX successfully recovered the first stage (B1019). This marked the beginning of the era of reusable launch vehicles for the Falcon 9. As SpaceX developed reusable rockets, other countries gradually recognized their significance and value. Some rocket development companies, including LandSpace, have adopted SpaceX’s approach to developing reusable rockets.
On November 16, 2014, the State Council of China issued the “Guiding Opinions of the State Council on Innovating Investment and Financing Mechanisms in Key Areas and Encouraging Social Investment” [1], which clearly stated that “private capital is encouraged to participate in the construction of national civil space infrastructure”. On October 26, 2015, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Finance, and the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense issued and implemented the “Medium and Long-Term Development Plan for National Civil Space Infrastructure (2015-2025)” [2], which introduced a specific plan to “encourage private capital to participate in the construction of national civil space infrastructure”. Around this time, private commercial rocket companies gradually emerged in China. The first batch of private commercial rocket companies in China, represented by LinkSpace (January 2014), LandSpace (June 2015), and Tianbing Technology (June 2015), were established. Subsequently, ZeroG Space Technology Group (August 2015), iSpace (October 2016), and Galactic Energy (February 2018) were established. Most of these companies aimed to develop reusable launch vehicles.
“Zhuque-3” (VTVL-1) 10-kilometer-class vertical takeoff and landing flight test
After several rounds of financing and years of research and development, reusable liquid-fueled launch vehicles from several private rocket companies are nearing their maiden flights. These include Tianbing Technology’s “Tianlong-3,” Zhongke Aerospace’s “Lijian-2,” Galactic Energy’s “Zhishenxing-1,” and DeepBlue Aerospace’s “Xingyun-1,” among others. The “Zhuque-3” is currently among the most advanced in terms of development and flight testing. Prior to this, the “Zhuque-3” development work had already completed 350-meter low-altitude vertical takeoff and landing flight tests (January 19, 2024) and 10-kilometer-class vertical takeoff and landing flight tests (September 11, 2024) using the “Zhuque-3” VTVL-1 recovery test rocket. Based on the current progress, LandSpace’s “Zhuque-3” is expected to become China’s first launch vehicle to achieve orbital recovery, marking a significant breakthrough in China’s reusable rocket development and a milestone in China’s launch vehicle development!
Achieving 20-tonnage large-capacity transport in stages
In the global aerospace field, although the liquid oxygen-methane propulsion route for launch vehicles is not a new technological approach, it represents a new direction for engineering applications. Compared to the mature liquid oxygen-kerosene propulsion rockets, the engineering application of liquid oxygen-methane propulsion rockets is relatively recent, and the development of a dual cryogenic propulsion system is more challenging than that of a single cryogenic propulsion system. Therefore, even after several years of development, the engineering application of liquid oxygen-methane rockets worldwide is still in its early stages, and the propulsion technology requires continuous upgrades and iterations, taking a considerable period to gradually mature.
The first stage of the Zhuque-3 Y1 rocket
For the “Zhuque-3” rocket, its 20-ton payload capacity needs to be achieved in stages. Unlike the target power configuration of the “Zhuque-3,” the basic version of this rocket is still equipped with a transitional main propulsion system. The basic first stage of the “Zhuque-3” is equipped with nine “Tianque-12A” liquid oxygen-methane engines, using a gas generator cycle, supporting bidirectional oscillation after pumping (±4°), employing self-starting, and featuring 45%~111% depth thrust adjustment, ±10% high-precision mixture ratio control, and multiple ignition capabilities. Each engine has a thrust of 838 kN (approximately 86 tons), a sea-level specific impulse of 2840 m/s (approximately 290 seconds), and a thrust-to-weight ratio of 105. Compared to the target configuration of the “Zhuque-3,” the basic first-stage main engine still has significant shortcomings in thrust and thrust-to-weight ratio.
“Tianque-15A” liquid oxygen methane engine
The basic second stage is equipped with one “Tianque-15A” liquid oxygen-methane engine, which uses a gas generator cycle, supports bidirectional oscillation before the pump (±4°), has a thrust adjustment capability of 60%~100% and a three-start capability, a vacuum thrust of 836 kN (approximately 85 tons), and a vacuum specific impulse of 3320 m/s (339 seconds). Compared with the target configuration of “Zhuque-3”, the basic second stage main engine has significant gaps in thrust and specific impulse.
Zhuque-3 Y1 carrier rocket
The “Zhuque-3” basic model is a transitional product. Based on the transitional main engine model, compared with the target size and payload capacity, the “Zhuque-3” basic model has a smaller takeoff mass, lower altitude, and smaller payload capacity. The basic model has a total height of 66.1 meters, a takeoff mass of about 570 tons, a takeoff thrust of 7542 kN (about 770 tons), a non-recoverable low Earth orbit (LEO) payload capacity of 11.8 tons, and a near-Earth orbit payload capacity of 8 tons when recovered in the flight area.
Taking small steps and iterating rapidly to achieve target payload capacity step by step. Compared to the traditional “one-step” development route for launch vehicles, LandSpace adopts a new development route of “small steps and rapid iteration” to achieve development goals step by step. Relatively speaking, the “rapid iteration” development route allows for the faster rollout of rocket models and continuous improvement and upgrading through actual flight tests, ultimately reaching a superior technical state—precisely what commercial spaceflight requires. From “Zhuque-2” to “Zhuque-3,” the key to LandSpace’s rocket model iteration lies in its first and second stage propulsion systems.
From left: “Tianque-12B”, “Tianque-12A”, “Tianque-12”
The main propulsion technology of both the “Zhuque-2” and “Zhuque-3” rockets originates from the “Tianque-12” (TQ-12) liquid oxygen-methane engine initially developed by LandSpace. This engine was installed in the first stage of the first batch of “Zhuque-2” rockets, while the vacuum version was installed in the second stage of the same batch. Subsequently, LandSpace improved upon the “Tianque-12” to develop the first-stage main engine “Tianque-12A” and the second-stage main engine “Tianque-15A,” which were subsequently installed in the improved version of “Zhuque-2” and the basic version of “Zhuque-3.” Currently, the “Tianque-12B,” based on the “Tianque-12A,” and the “Tianque-15B,” based on the “Tianque-15A,” are both under development. After completion, they will be installed in the first and second stages of the improved version of “Zhuque-3,” respectively, ultimately helping “Zhuque-3” achieve its target of a 20-ton-class near-Earth payload capacity, which is precisely the payload capacity required for the mass deployment of China’s giant low-Earth orbit constellation.
Self-created constellations, with their own requirements.
Since SpaceX began launching its massive low-Earth orbit (LEO) communications constellation, Starlink, the number of Falcon 9 launches has increased rapidly. During this period, two-thirds of the launches were for SpaceX’s own Starlink constellation project. This constellation, with a long-term plan of over 40,000 LEO satellites, will continue to dominate the majority of Falcon 9 launches, creating a huge and stable demand.
Similar to SpaceX, LandSpace has also planned a giant low-Earth orbit (LEO) communication satellite constellation. On November 30, 2017, Beijing LandSpace Hongqing Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of LandSpace, was officially established. Subsequently, the company proposed the “Honghu-3” satellite constellation plan, applying to deploy 10,000 satellites in 160 orbits, becoming another giant LEO constellation after China StarNet and Qianfan.
Once the “Honghu-3” constellation is ready and enters the large-scale batch networking phase, it can become the main source of launch missions for “Zhuque-3”. The latter needs to form a high-frequency launch capability of hundreds of times per year, like “Falcon-9”, to meet the networking launch requirements.
The inside of the nozzle after the “Tianque-12A” test run
Meanwhile, the satellite constellations currently in the “Star-Magnitude Rocket” stage urgently require large-scale, batch launch support from heavy-lift rockets, which will constitute the main source of launch missions for the “Zhuque-3” satellite. In this way, both domestic and international demand will establish a stable demand for “Zhuque-3” launch services. Faced with a massive number of satellites awaiting launch, “Zhuque-3” needs to complete upgrades and iterations as soon as possible to form a stable and efficient recovery and reuse capability, ultimately providing “high-capacity, high-frequency, and low-cost” launch services.
Conclusion
In the long term, the liquid oxygen-methane route is generally superior among reusable rockets. Compared to liquid oxygen-kerosene rockets, the biggest advantage of liquid oxygen-methane rockets lies in their time cost advantage. Because the coking and carbon buildup after methane combustion is extremely minimal, it can be recovered and reused almost immediately, and a single rocket module can achieve a higher frequency of launches. In the short to medium term, however, liquid oxygen-kerosene rockets have the advantage of more mature propulsion technology, enabling them to achieve high payload capacity more quickly and achieve continuous and stable launches faster. Against the backdrop of China’s large-scale batch launches of its giant low-Earth orbit constellation, a “positioning battle” is underway in the commercial and civilian rocket industry. Whoever can provide “high payload capacity, high frequency, and low cost” launch services first will gain a leading advantage, and liquid oxygen-kerosene rockets will be more likely to achieve this goal.
For “Zhuque-3,” making the best choice also presents a greater challenge. Achieving its target launch capacity and establishing continuous and stable launches will be a lengthy process, and many challenges will be encountered as the technology matures and stabilizes. The LandSpace team has previously used the phrase “The Foolish Old Man Who Moved Mountains” to describe their dedication and perseverance, highlighting their down-to-earth and far-sighted qualities, which will ultimately be the cornerstone of “Zhuque-3’s” success.
The Zhuque-3 is a representative of China’s large liquid oxygen-methane rockets, reusable rockets, and commercial rockets. Its successful maiden flight and successful recovery will mark the first successful orbital launch and recovery of a reusable Chinese rocket, as well as the first successful orbital launch of a large methane rocket—a landmark event in the history of China’s launch vehicle development. We await a space journey carried by pure blue flames!
On November 14th, the ninth batch of space science experiment samples from the Chinese Space Station successfully returned aboard the 神舟二十号载#Shenzhou20 Takionaut crew- Shenzhou-21 spacecraft. Early on the morning of the 15th, these samples were successfully delivered to scientists, and a handover ceremony was held at the Space Application Engineering and Technology Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The first batch of lunar soil bricks developed by the project “Research on Space Service Performance and Process Optimization of Simulated Lunar Soil Sintered Samples,” led by Academician Ding Lieyun, Chief Scientist of the National Digital Construction Center of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, for the Chinese Manned Space Station Project, successfully returned to Earth after a year of extravehicular activity (EVA). The samples were confirmed to be in good condition on-site.
The team prepared 74 lunar soil bricks, which will travel to the Chinese Space Station on November 15, 2024, aboard the Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft, to conduct EVA experiments for 1, 2, and 3 years. Currently, the R5 sample unit has successfully completed its 1-year EVA experiment and returned to Earth. The remaining samples will continue to undergo EVA experiments on the space station.
Researchers will use lunar regolith bricks returned from extravehicular exposure to conduct a comparative study of lunar regolith bricks in space and Earth, revealing the evolution of the macroscopic and microscopic properties of sintered lunar regolith bricks after service in the space environment and the mechanisms by which this evolution affects them. This will allow them to deduce and predict the long-term service behavior of lunar regolith bricks in the lunar environment, providing a scientific and engineering basis for in-situ lunar construction.
