Space Exploration Milestone: Chinese Startup Beats Musk in Methane Rocket Race

Fei Ruby, Tech Times 12 July 2023, 11:07 am

LandSpace Technology, a Chinese start-up, outperformed Spacex by successfully launching a methane-fueled rocket.

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center's launch of the ZQ-2 rocket is in line with President Xi Jinping's strategic goal of China vying with the US for space domination.

This accomplishment shows that startups outside of well-established Chinese aerospace companies are capable of developing complicated gear.

(Photo: JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) A team inspects SpaceX's first orbital Starship SN20 stacked atop its massive Super Heavy Booster 4 at the company's Starbase facility near Boca Chica Village in South Texas.

Successful Launch

On July 12, LandSpace Technology successfully launched its ZQ-2 rocket from Gansu province's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The attempt to launch had been unsuccessful in December due to an unusual second-stage engine.

LandSpace resolved the problem by performing in-depth assessments and putting improvement measures in place that were successfully tested on the ground.

The successful launch of LandSpace shows China's desire to challenge the US's hegemony in space technology and exploration. The plan put out by President Xi Jinping to improve China's standing in the international space race has gained traction.

Aiming to shift the balance of power and establish itself as a significant player in space exploration, research, and commercial endeavors, China's technological capability and creativity in the space industry.

Methane-Based Rockets

The launch of a rocket-powered by methane by LandSpace highlights the expanding use of methane-based fuel in the space sector.

Methane is being investigated by SpaceX and other businesses as a cleaner, safer substitute for traditional fuels. This method lessens the impact on the environment while maintaining the highest levels of performance and safety for rockets.

Power Struggle

LandSpace Technology's methane-fueled rocket launch demonstrates China's dominance in the global space race, surpassing SpaceX and showcasing Chinese startups' progress in developing complex technologies.

Methane provides a safer and cleaner substitute for conventional rocket fuels, demonstrating the practicality of this novel strategy. The world keenly watches the shifting balance of power in space dynamics as China continues to make strides in space exploration and technology.