LandSpace moves closer to reusable rocket capability with successful landing test

LandSpace moves closer to reusable rocket capability with successful landing test
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Sep 12, 2024

LandSpace, one of China's leading private rocket manufacturers, made significant progress toward developing a reusable rocket with a successful vertical takeoff and vertical landing (VTVL) test on Wednesday.

The Beijing-based company used an experimental rocket for the test at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert of northwestern China. In this test, the rocket ascended to a predetermined height before making a controlled, vertical descent.

The test lasted 200 seconds, during which the rocket climbed to an altitude of 10 kilometers. Once it reached this height, the engine was shut down, and the rocket began its computer-controlled descent.

At 4.64 km above the ground, the rocket's engine reignited, slowing its descent and correcting its trajectory. The craft, named VTVL-1, landed precisely at a designated spot about 3.2 km from the launch site, demonstrating impressive landing accuracy, according to LandSpace.

This marked the second VTVL-1 demonstration. The first test, conducted in January at the same launch center, saw the rocket reach a height of about 350 meters after a brief one-minute flight.

The VTVL-1 is 18.3 meters tall with a diameter of 3.35 meters and a liftoff weight of 68 metric tons. It is made from stainless steel and equipped with three buffer landing legs and four grid fins.

The engine used in both tests was a modified TQ-12 methane engine, capable of generating 80 tons of thrust.

Dai Zheng, who leads rocket research and development at LandSpace, emphasized the importance of the test. "The test marked the first time that any Chinese rocket has re-ignited an engine in a VTVL technology demonstration," Dai said.

"The experimental vehicle is tasked with verifying technologies and designs to be used on our ZQ 3 rocket model, which will be advanced and reusable. Performance of its components during the test is satisfactory, which means the craft is better than others of its kind in this country," he said.

Upon completion, the ZQ-3 rocket will stand 76.6 meters tall, with a diameter of 4.5 meters and a fully-fueled weight of nearly 660 tons. It will have a liftoff thrust of nearly 900 tons and will be able to transport spacecraft weighing up to 21.3 tons to low-Earth orbit.

Dai also noted that the ZQ-3 will be designed for a lifespan of at least 20 flights.

LandSpace has established itself as one of China's first private space companies, and last year launched the world's first methane-fueled rocket into orbit, continuing to play a key role in the country's space sector.

Based on a Xinhua News Agency article