Posted: Sat, Dec 16, 2023, 10:54 AM ET (1554 GMT)
Chinese startup Landspace performed the second successful launch of its Zhuque-2 rocket Dec. 8. The rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 6:39 pm EST (2339 GMT) and placed three satellites into sun-synchronous orbits. The launch was the third for the methane-fueled rocket after a failed launch last December and a successful flight in July. Landspace plans to launch three Zhuque-2 rockets in 2024, six in 2025 and 12 in 2026. It also recently unveiled plans for Zhuque-3, a rocket made of stainless steel with a reusable first stage and capable of placing between 12.5 and 21 metric tons into orbit.

Related Links:

•  SpaceNews article
•  NASASpaceFlight.com article
•  Xinhua article