China Launches 1st Methane Liquid Rocket
16:11 JST, July 19, 2023
BEIJING (Reuters) — A private Chinese company launched into orbit on July 12 the world’s first methane-liquid oxygen rocket, beating U.S. rivals in sending what could become the next generation of launch vehicles into space.
The Zhuque-2 carrier rocket blasted off at 9 a.m. from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China and completed its flight according to plan, state media reported.
It was the second attempt by Beijing-based LandSpace, one of the earliest firms in China’s commercial launch sector, to launch the Zhuque-2. A first attempt in December failed.
The July 12 launch put China ahead of U.S. rivals, including Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, in the race to launch carrier vehicles fueled by methane, which is deemed less polluting, safer, cheaper and a suitable propellant in a reusable rocket.
"Science & Nature" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Polish Families Pick through Debris after Floods Wash Away Homes
-
Parkinson’s Patients to Receive Gut Bacteria Transplants, in Clinical 1st for Japan
-
Population of 16 Familiar Bird Species in Sharp Decline in Japan; Azure-Winged Magpie Experiencing 14.1% Rate of Decline
-
CO2 Capture Technologies Advancing with Eye on Climate Change; New Technologies Include Absorption Coating Compound for Concrete
-
Electric Oranges? Japan’s Researchers Test Device to Generate Power from Mikan Mandarin Fields
JN ACCESS RANKING
- JICA Employee Suspected of Leaking Info on ODA Project in Manila; Bidding for Railway Renovation May Have Been Impacted
- G20 Sees Soft Landing for Global Economy; Leaders Pledge to Resist Protectionism as Trump Calls for Imported Goods Flat Tariff
- Japanese Automakers Team Up on Software Development; Aim to Compete with U.S., China in SDV Market
- China Struggles to Develop Passenger Jet to Rival Boeing, Airbus; Russian Cooperation Falls
- 2024 POLLS: Ruling Camp Likely to Win Lower House Majority