Beijing, July 12 (EFE).- China on Wednesday successfully launched the world\u2019s first methane-powered rocket into space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The development marked the first orbital mission fueled by methane, a cutting-edge technology that until now had only been developed by the American companies SpaceX and Blue Origin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rocket, named Zhuque-2 Y2, lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China’s Gobi desert, said its manufacturer LandSpace, a private Chinese space company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
LandSpace claimed that the success of the mission verified various schemes of the rocket and laid a solid foundation for the development of reusable rockets in the next stage, according to national broadcaster CGTN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rocket uses liquid methane as fuel and liquid oxygen as an oxidizer \u2013 a non-toxic mix of reusable components also known as “methalox.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The launcher has a two-stage configuration, with a diameter of 3.35 meters, a height of 49.5 meters, a takeoff weight of 219 tons, and a takeoff thrust of 268 tons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is the second test flight of the Zhuque-2 after a failed attempt in December last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The latest mission took a series of improvement measures and verified their effectiveness through simulations, ground tests, and engine tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
LandSpace said that after the successful test flight, they would “further optimize” the rocket, “accumulate experiences for its reliability and safety,” and “lay the foundation to bring low-cost, high-performance products to the market.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last May, an experimental reusable spacecraft returned to China after spending 276 days in orbit, which was described by state media as a “major breakthrough in reusable spacecraft technology research.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The technology for recovering the most expensive rocket parts at sea could be applied to future Chinese rocket models, which would lower the cost of space exploration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other companies like the American SpaceX have developed recoverable parts in recent years. EFE<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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