China failed to launch the world's first methane-fueled orbital rocket and lost 14 satellites
This week Landspace failed to launch the world's first methane orbiting rocket, called Zhuque-2.
Here's What We Know
The rocket, which was built by a private company, was launched on December 14. It was launched from a spaceport in the Gobi Desert. During takeoff, Zhuque-2 lost 14 satellites that were supposed to be in sun-synchronous orbit.
https://t.co/l8j2WPO4Gu pic.twitter.com/RlbRazxL3L
- Ace of Razgriz (@raz_liu) December 14, 2022
The mission had to be aborted due to the failure of the second stage. The first stage was operating normally, but five minutes after liftoff it began to lose speed and altitude. Landspace is already developing a second Zhuque-2 rocket.
????Leaked footage of the first launch of LANDSPACE's Zhuque-2 shows liftoff at ~08:30:25 UTC on DEC.14. At the time of anomaly at ~T+300s, the second stage main engine has been cut off and payload fairing has been jettisoned. https://t.co/fAyuoOkS1A pic.twitter.com/TBHEA5W0ji
- China 'N Asia Spaceflight ????????️???? (@CNSpaceflight) December 14, 2022
Twitter has confirmed that the rocket has not reached orbit. At the same time, the Chinese Space Agency has not yet made an official statement about the launch.
Source: space
