The ZQ-2E Y1 carrier rocket, independently developed by LandSpace, a company based in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (Beijing E-Town), was successfully launched on the morning of Nov 27.

The successful maiden flight mission of the ZQ-2E Y1 marks another significant step towards the commercialization of the Zhuque-2 series carrier rockets.

"Aiming at higher configuration and stronger power, we have built this improved carrier rocket based on Zhuque-2. The ZQ-2E Y1 carrier rocket has a carrying capacity of up to 4 tons in a 500 kilometer sun synchronous orbit", said a leader of LandSpace, adding that this rocket has a larger coverage area, lower launch costs, and stronger delivery support capabilities, which can greatly enhance its competitiveness in the commercial launch service market.

The Zhuque-2 carrier rocket has previously set records as the world's first liquid oxygen-methane carrier rocket to successfully reach orbit and the world's first liquid oxygen-methane carrier rocket to achieve consecutive successful launches. Building on the mature technology of the Zhuque-2 carrier rocket, the improved version of ZQ-2E Y1 has undergone comprehensive upgrades, adopting newly developed modules and replacing the propulsion system with innovative technologies. It has a lighter rocket body with increased carrying capacity.

"The ZQ-2E Y1 carrier rocket incorporates six 'domestic first' new technologies and solutions, including fully subcooled dual-cryogenic liquid propellant, a dual-cryogenic single-layer common bulkhead tank for liquid carrier rockets, large-size high-precision niobium alloy nozzle manufacturing technology, a probabilistic method for calculating flight loads in high wind regions, an interstage cold separation scheme without forward-thrust rockets, and an intermittent propellant settling scheme during the coasting phase. All these technological innovations are aimed at making the Zhuque-2 series carrier rockets more efficient and with a greater carrying capacity, to better meet the demands of the commercial launch market," said a staff member at LandSpace.

With the success of this mission, LandSpace has entered the stage of mass commercial launch services. Going forward, the company will continue to improve the design of rockets and engines with the goal of achieving low-cost, large-scale manufacturing and delivery, as well as continuous and stable launch success. It is committed to creating highly reliable and powerful commercial launch vehicle products, contributing to the construction of China's satellite Internet.

Originating from Beijing E-Town, the ZQ-2E Y1 carrier rocket is the first liquid oxygen-methane carrier rocket in China to successfully reach orbit this year. At present, aerospace companies and related enterprises in Beijing E-Town have completed 13 launches (including reusable recovery tests), making it the region with the highest number of commercial launches in China.

Currently, Beijing E-Town has gathered over 80 market entities primarily engaged in the aerospace industry, achieving the goal of industrial clustering and collaborative development.