Why China Launched a 625-Ton Rocket into Space 0 8

China launched the Lijian-2 Y1 carrier rocket with three satellites on board.

The carrier rocket took off from the Dongfeng pilot zone for commercial space innovations in Northwest China and successfully placed the satellites into their designated orbit.

Among the satellites was the test cargo spacecraft "Qingzhou," developed by the Academy of Innovations in Microsatellites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. During the test flight, tests will be conducted on board "Qingzhou" as part of 27 projects with a total payload of 1.02 tons. These tests will be carried out at altitudes ranging from 200 to 600 km.

This launch marked the first flight of the Lijian-2 carrier rocket. According to the developers, it is the first Chinese carrier rocket to use a "universal core booster" design. The rocket, with specifications such as an overall length of 53 meters, a launch weight of 625 tons, and a thrust of 753 tons, has a payload capacity of 8 tons to a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 500 km and 12 tons to a low Earth orbit at an altitude of 200 km.

"The Lijian-2 rocket marks a new milestone in the development of a next-generation cargo transportation system between Earth and space in China," said Yang Haolian, the project leader of the Lijian-2 carrier rocket. He noted that this signifies a transition from reliance on a single type of rocket or approach to a more systematic structure in which multiple types of carrier rockets provide mutual support, mutual backup, and flexible deployment.

He added that such a systemic capability is fundamental to ensuring the long-term stable operation of the space station, as well as enhancing the safety and reliability of cargo transportation.

Yang Haolian reported that developers are currently working on reusable rocket technology. They have already completed initial tests on a more compact vehicle to verify key technologies such as landing control to a designated point and plan to conduct additional tests for the rocket's return by the end of this year.

According to the developers, commercial rockets are expected to play an increasingly important role in the country's space missions, contributing to cost reduction and efficiency while maintaining high safety standards.