Beijing E-Town–based Landspace's Zhuque-2 Y3 liquid oxygen methane carrier rocket successfully completed its launch mission on Dec 9, once again drawing industry attention to the aerospace industry of Beijing E-Town.

The launch of Landspace's Zhuque-2 Y3 liquid oxygen methane carrier rocket [Photo/beijingetown.com.cn]

From the "world's first" to the "earliest in China," what other surprises does the aerospace industry in the area have in store? In terms of the development of commercial space exploration, what perspectives and suggestions do industry experts have?

Preparations for the rocket launch [Photo/beijingetown.com.cn]

As part of the first generation of space scientists in China and the earliest scholar to focus on commercial space exploration in the country, Huang Zhicheng has been following Landspace since its establishment. 

Huang said that, "From the initial technological accumulation to independently overcoming entrepreneurial challenges, Landspace has withstood the test of failures and ultimately achieved success! This marks the rocket's second successful and stable launch, and it uses world-leading liquid oxygen methane fuel."

The launch of a rocket [Photo/beijingetown.com.cn]

"What's more challenging than a single successful launch is consecutive successes." mentioned Xing Qiang, a continuous advocate of the commercial space industry.

"As the Zhuque-2 Y2 rocket became the world's first successfully orbited liquid oxygen methane rocket in July, the same rocket has once again successfully launched. From a space engineering perspective, this indicates that the rocket is moving towards maturity, standardization, and mass production." 

Xing stressed that "Additionally, this launch involved a commercial payload, sending three satellites into the designated orbit, signifying that Landspace is prepared for commercialization while independently developing its technology." 

China's commercial space exploration is prospering. [Photo/beijingetown.com.cn]

"Ten years ago, some people thought that China's commercial space exploration was just a beautiful myth. Now, it has blossomed, and private commercial aerospace companies have finally achieved independent and controllable technologies, represented by the liquid oxygen methane engine." Huang added

In Beijing E-Town alone, more than 50 aerospace companies are gathered, covering carrier rocket development, satellite research, satellite applications, model support, ground equipment, and technological applications. 

The number of private rocket development enterprises landing in the area accounts for more than 70 percent nationwide.

Since the beginning of this year, the commercial aerospace sector in Beijing E-Town has taken the lead in transitioning from strategic emerging cultivation to industrialization and commercial development, with a projected total of 15 launches for the year.