Beijing, 12 July, 2023 (GNP): LandSpace Technology Corp, a Chinese startup, has achieved a remarkable feat by surpassing Elon Musk’s SpaceX in the race to launch a methane-fueled rocket, reported by the sources. This achievement bolsters China’s ambition to challenge the United States as a dominant force in space.
On Wednesday, the Chinese company successfully launched its ZQ-2 rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gansu province, as confirmed by a state broadcaster.
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Moreover, this successful launch followed a previous failed attempt in December, which encountered an abnormality in a supplementary second-stage engine. However, LandSpace Technology Corp implemented necessary improvements after conducting ground tests, leading to the triumphant launch.
According to the company, the rocket, which had arrived at the launch center in May after a nine-day journey from LandSpace’s manufacturing base in Jiaxing, underwent final-stage preparations on 6 July.
Furthermore, Methane can be safer and cleaner than the fuels presently in use. Thus, Musk’s SpaceX and other companies have been developing rockets that can utilize it as fuel.
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However, LandSpace’s achievement in launching a methane-fueled rocket gives the Beijing-based company bragging rights and aligns with President Xi Jinping’s strategy to have China challenge the US in the race to dominate space, the sources said.
Maxime Puteaux, a principal advisor who researches the space industry at Euroconsult in Paris, said this launch is a “major milestone.”
LandSpace Technology Corp’s successful methane-fueled rocket launch marks a significant advancement in China’s pursuit of becoming a prominent player in the space sector. As the competition intensifies, the global space industry will closely monitor China’s continued progress and its potential impact on the dynamics of space exploration.
