Methane-powered Chinese rocket successfully launched, leaves glowing trail in U.S. sky

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Methane-powered Chinese rocket successfully launched, leaves glowing trail in U.S. sky
Methane-powered Chinese rocket successfully launched, leaves glowing trail in U.S. sky (X @ChinaScience)

China took a major step in its space program with the successful launch of the Zhuque-2E Y2 rocket, developed by private company Landspace.

The launch, which took place at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new model and place six satellites into orbit in partnership with the company Spacety.

The medium-lift rocket is powered by a combination of liquid methane and liquid oxygen, a mixture known as “methalox,” considered cleaner, more cost-effective, and promising for reusability. Additionally, the Zhuque-2E can carry up to 4 tons to low Earth orbit and features improvements over earlier versions, with greater fuel efficiency and more advanced flight control systems.

Landspace is already planning to develop more powerful and reusable versions, reflecting the progress of private companies in China’s aerospace sector.

After the launch, residents across various regions of the United States reported seeing a bright streak in the sky, similar to an aurora. The phenomenon was caused by the fuel trail released by the Zhuque-2E at about 250 km altitude. Experts say the chemical glow results from the interaction of methane and oxygen with the atmosphere — a distinct feature of this type of fuel, especially during nighttime launches.

Source: Olhar Digital | Photo: X @ChinaScience | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team

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