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Chinese launch startup Galactic Energy is gearing up to debut a reusable rocket later this year. If that happens, Pallas 1 would be the first similar Chinese-developed rocket to reach orbit, but it is unclear whether it will be recovered during the flight.
The announcement will spur a race to develop reusable rockets in China. Many rockets are under development domestically, but none were expected to be ready for space launch until next year.
Pallas 1, named after the Greek goddess Athena, is scheduled to lift off from a spacecraft launch center in southern Hainan Island in November, local news site Hinews.cn said.
The 49-meter (160-foot) kerosene liquid oxygen rocket is designed for up to 50 uses.
During a recent visit to the launch center, Galactic Energy Chief Executive Officer Liu Baiqi briefed staff on the rocket’s progress and inspected the launch pad, satellite interface, and satellite interface in preparation for flight, according to a Jan. 31 report. They reportedly discussed issues such as tracking spacecraft.
“Paras 1 will be able to fly in November this year,” Liu was quoted as saying. “People will be able to observe the launch from the shores of the South China Sea and enjoy the beauty of wisdom and technology.”
When asked if and where Pallas 1’s first stage would be recovered during its maiden flight, a company representative said the information was “not suitable for public release at this time.” Ta.
Test, test…China to test new satellite technology for Chang’e 6 moon exploration mission
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Pallas-1 is powered by seven domestically produced Cangqiong engines in the first stage. In low Earth orbit she can lift 5 tons, and in the so-called sun-synchronous orbit of 700 km (435 miles) above the ground he can lift 3 tons.
Founded in 2018, Galaxy Energy has established itself as a leader in China’s commercial launch sector. It holds the best launch record ever, including nine consecutive successful flights with the small solid-fuel rocket Ceres-1.
The Beijing-based company announced in December that it had secured 1.1 billion yuan (US$153.5 million) in funding for Paras 1, which will support research into reusable launch vehicle technology and related infrastructure. The funds will be used for development.
But two separate sources familiar with the matter told the Post that Paras 1 is unlikely to be recovered during its November launch. So far, Galactic Energy has used only small jet-powered aircraft to test the reusability of the rocket’s guidance, navigation and control software.
Both iSpace and LandSpace Technology are planning a debut flight with a first-stage recovery in 2025.
Commercial launch companies in China are working on the technology to reduce launch costs and win contracts from the country’s growing satellite-based internet constellation project. Those projects include GuoWang, his 13,000-satellite broadband constellation backed by the Chinese government as SpaceX’s answer to Starlink.
The Shanghai government has also proposed the G60 Starlink project, which would carry the same number of satellites to provide internet services from orbit.
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