LandSpace's CEO shares plans for the next two years
This post was originally published on Ko-fi on March 16th 2024.
[Small disclaimer that any quotes may not be translated with full accuracy, I am still learning]
It's been a little over a week since we last heard anything from LandSpace with reporters at a Beijing Municipal Development and Reform Commission symposium getting to speak to Zhang Changwu, LandSpace's Chief Executive Officer and Founder, on the 12th of March.
The reporters learned directly from Zhang Changwu that the company would attempt four launches of its Zhuque-2 vehicle this year, this was previously planned to have been three. Zhang also stated that LandSpace would attempt a maximum of nine launches in 2025, with four planned to be for Zhuque-3.
The four Zhuque-3 flights would include its debut mission along with reusability tests and verifications.
The reporters also photographed three models near where they were interviewing Zhang.
LandSpace's model on the left and center are already known to be Zhuque-2 and Zhuque-3. The third model is a rocket we haven't seen before, or at least myself. This is likely to be the rumored 'Block 2' of Zhuque-2 which will feature the TQ-15A engine on the second stage, and potentially the improved TQ-12A.
'Block 2' of Zhuque-2 is looking to potentially be stretching both stages, which may be due to the performance increase of LandSpace's newer engines.
These new engines are also believed to give the Zhuque-2 rocket an increase of performance of approximately 12% and a specific impulse improvement of 126m/s, although LandSpace did not specify what 'Block' of Zhuque-2 this was benefitting.
The Zhuque-2 'Block-2' is likely to help LandSpace gain in-flight data on its newer engines prior to its debut next year, similar to SpaceX flying Falcon 1 to gain experience with its Merlin engines.
During their time with Zhang, the reporters also found out that Zhuque-3 is targeting a cost per kilogram of 20,000 Yuan, which is approximately 2,780 United States Dollars at the time of writing. This target is almost three times cheaper than the average cost per kilogram in China today. The cost savings are massive for satellite manufacturers in China but is almost four times the cost of Falcon 9 per kilogram, which is currently believed to be 800 United States Dollars per kilogram.
When asked about the reuse Zhang said the following:
"For Zhuque-3, our current initial goal is to achieve the ability to be reused more than 20 times, and then continue to increase the number of flights on this basis."
This is similar to what SpaceX has proven with its Falcon 9 boosters which now has three boosters with nineteen flights completed, at the time of writing.
The reporters also photographed recovered debris from a Zhuque-2 first-stage, the flight it was from is unknown. This and other recovered pieces of debris could provide LandSpace with insights into how certain materials handle supersonic speeds on descent.
What is Zhuque-3?
For those who do not know, here is a rundown of Zhuque-3.
Zhuque-3 is LandSpace's in-development partially reusable medium to heavy lift launch vehicle. LandSpace plans for Zhuque-3 to burn liquid methane and liquid oxygen fuels and use stainless steel to build the first and second stages.
LandSpace claims that Zhuque-3 will be able to lift up to 21,300 kilograms to low Earth orbit when expended, 18,300 kilograms when landing downrange on a drone ship or landing pad, or 12,500 kilograms when returning to the launch site.
The first-stage booster and second-stage are currently planned to have a diameter of 4.5 meters. The fairing is planned to be 5.2 meters in diameter and split into two halves. The total height of Zhuque-3 is currently planned to be 76.6 meters.
Zhuque-3 has a similar mission profile to Falcon 9 as seen in the infographic below.
LandSpace is believed to be planning to launch Zhuque-3 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center and the Wenchang Space Launch Site.