If you will forgive me – one last China-related news item.
Fast-follower China is apparently in the process of duplicating SpaceX’s success. Blue Origin is limping along somewhere in the background. ArianeSpace and ULA are no-shows. The implications for the world of tomorrow are clear.
Chinese firm makes breakthrough in reusable rocket technology as ground test succeeds - Global Times
A Chinese firm has made a major breakthrough in reusable rocket technology as the first-stage propulsion system of the Zhuque-3 rocket, developed by private company LandSpace, successfully completed a large-scale ground test on Friday …
The propulsion system tested featured LandSpace’s independently developed Tianque-12A (TQ-12A) liquid oxygen-methane engines. Nine engines were fired in parallel …
The Zhuque-3 launch vehicle is China’s first large liquid oxygen-methane rocket to feature a stainless steel body structure and a reusable first stage. It has a liftoff weight of approximately 570 tons and a total length of about 66 meters. The first stage is equipped with nine Tianque-12A engines operating in parallel, along with auxiliary propulsion systems and deployable grid fins, enabling controlled recovery and landing capability. …