While SpaceX and Relativity Space are studying the problems that prevented the launch of methane-powered rockets (Starship and Terran 1
What is known
Zhuque-2 is a two-stage rocket with a height of 49.5 meters and a diameter of 3.35 meters. It is designed to launch up to 6 tons of cargo into low Earth orbit and up to 4 tons into sun-synchronous orbit.
The successful mission made the Zhuque-2 the first rocket to run on methane and liquid oxygen. It launched from a spaceport in the Gobi Desert and successfully delivered cargo to a sun-synchronous orbit.
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The first stage is equipped with liquid methaneTianque-12 engine. Its development began in July 2019 and took four years. The power plant provides 268 tons of thrust. The second stage of the Zhuque-2 rocket is equipped with a Tianque-11 engine to adjust the speed and direction of flight.