LandSpace nearing launch of upgraded Zhuque-2

LandSpace announced on October 21st that it had successfully conducted a static fire test with its TQ-15A engine and a new second-stage design. The duration of the test was not shared.

The new second-stage is stated as utilizing a common bulkhead design along with replacing the TQ-12 engine and four TQ-11 vernier thrusters with a single TQ-15A vacuum-optimized engine. Switching to a single TQ-15A engine, generating up to 85 tons of thrust, will allow the second-stage to reignite, opening up a wider range of missions.

With the successful test, LandSpace also finally named the long-discussed upgraded Zhuque-2 launch vehicle, calling it Zhuque-2E. Few details were shared by the company about Zhuque-2E, but LandSpace did say the following:

"The successful success of this second-stage static ignition test marks the full validation of LandSpace's new second-stage programme for the Zhuque-2E, providing important data support and technical assurance for LandSpace to conduct the first flight test mission of the Zhuque-2E model and the regular launch mission."

Following a visit by reporters to LandSpace back in March, Zhuque-2E was speculated as having two slightly stretched stages while using four improved TQ-12A engines on the first-stage and a single TQ-15A on the second-stage.

LandSpace has also been occasionally sharing improvements made to the Zhuque-2 family earlier this year. March had one of the first TQ-15A engines completing an acceptance run, mid-April had overall weigh savings made to the launch vehicles, and late April had a TQ-15A complete firings with a niobium alloy nozzle.

Back in April, Zhang Changwu (张昌武), LandSpace's founder and Chief Executive Officer, also said to reporters that four launches were planned in 2024 along with eight in 2025. So far this year LandSpace has only flown two hops of its Zhuque-3 VTVL-1 test vehicle.

The four launches for 2024 could also be planned to occur before the Chinese New Year in 2025. At least three of the launches in 2025 are believed to be for LandSpace's partially reusable Zhuque-3 launch vehicle.

LandSpace is currently believed to be targeting winter for the first launch of Zhuque-2E, this could be in late November or December.

Who is LandSpace?

LandSpace Technology Corporation is a Chinese private space launch provider based out of the city of Beijing and was founded by Zhang Changwu (张昌武) in 2015.

The company launched its first rocket, Zhuque-1, on the 27th of October 2018 but failed to reach orbit. Zhuque-1 was a three-stage solid propellant rocket that was aiming to lift 300 kilograms into orbit until its cancellation in favor of Zhuque-2.

LandSpace has so far flown Zhuque-2 three times, with two successes. The vehicle can carry 6,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit or 4,000 kilograms to sun-synchronus orbit. Zhuque-2 was also the first rocket to utilize liquid methane to reach space and deliver payloads to orbit.

Lead image has been altered, rotated ninety degrees left.