Private Chinese firms powering space quest

The Zhuque-2 Y2, a methane-liquid oxygen space rocket, independently developed by LandSpace Technology Co Ltd, blasted off from the Jiuquan launch site in Gansu province, on Wednesday. This marks the first successful orbital flight of a methane-liquid oxygen rocket, marking a significant breakthrough in China's application of low-cost liquid propellants for carrier rockets.

Compared to solid propellants used in mainstream rockets and other liquid oxygen or new fuels, liquid methane is more environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

Wednesday's launch is an important step for China's carrier rocket technology to carve a niche in the commercial space competition.

Traditionally, people see the aerospace industry as a ground for "national teams" to compete in. However, experience shows that there is always room for participation by commercial enterprises and civilian forces. Zhuque-2's successful launch is a significant achievement for private enterprises.

Chinese private enterprises' performance in the commercial space sector has lived up to expectations. From 2015 to 2021, China's commercial space industry maintained an average compound growth rate of 22.3 percent, with an estimated breakthrough of 2.3 trillion yuan ($320.77 billion) by 2024. Before the launch of Zhuque-2, in April, the Tianlong-2 Y1 carrier rocket had a maiden flight from Jiuquan, becoming China's first orbital liquid carrier rocket. It was propelled by liquid oxygen and kerosene.

China's commercial space industry started relatively late. However, a series of successes prove that private enterprises are taking on increasingly important roles in the field.

- BEIJING NEWS