The Zhuque-2 rocket, developed by the Chinese company Landspace, successfully reached orbit on July 11, 2023, marking the first successful orbital flight using methalox fuel. This achievement positions methalox as a viable option for future space missions due to its advantages in engine performance and storage. Upcoming launches include ULA's Vulcan rocket, expected in December 2023, and SpaceX's Starship, pending regulatory approval. Relativity Space has halted the Terran-1 project, focusing instead on the larger Terran R, which is slated for a 2026 launch.
PREREQUISITESAerospace engineers, rocket propulsion specialists, and space industry analysts will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in the future of launch technologies and the competitive landscape of space exploration.
The administrator for Commercial Space Transportation at the Federal Aviation Administration, Kelvin Coleman, said last week that early to mid-March is a reasonable timeline for the regulatory process to conclude.