13 May 2026 China launched a Zhuque-2E rocket fueled by methane and liquid oxygen from the special Landspace site in the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Test Area (Jiuquan launch site). The rocket successfully launched a mass payload into a 900-kilometer polar orbit 2800 Kg, which Landspace called a large-scale constellation deployment experiment. The mission demonstrated the ability to launch a large payload and the company's readiness for group satellite launches. With this, it hopes to win contracts for the deployment of Chinese megaconstellations.
This was the fourth launch of the Zhuque-2E rocket (Y5), which has a diameter 3,35 meters and length 55,9 meters. The rocket contains a number of improvements compared to the previous version, which indicates a successful iterative design process. Among the improvements are elongated first-stage tanks combined with a full charge of supercooled fuel, second stage with three engine launches for in-orbit disposal, and an accelerated preparation and launch cycle. Zhuque-2E can now output 4000 kg in a 500-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) or 6000 kg on low Earth orbit (LEO).
Landspace is also preparing for a second launch and return attempt of the Zhuque-3 steel methane rocket, which reached orbit in December, but the return of the first degree failed. At the same time, the company is working on an initial public offering of shares (IPO). The application was accepted by the Shanghai Stock Exchange (STAR Market) at the end of December 2025 year, and it is currently under regulatory review. Landspace intends to attract 1 billion dollars to develop its reusable rockets, and the prospectus provides for the valuation of the company after the IPO 11 billions of dollars.
The launch of Zhuque-2E took place two days after the launch of the Long March 6A rocket from the Taiyuan Cosmodrome. 12 she successfully brought out in May 18 satellites into polar orbits for the broadband megaconstellation Qianfan ("A thousand sails"). The satellites are manufactured by the Shanghai Microsatellite Engineering Center. The project was led by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST). This was the eighth launch for the Qianfan constellation, which has now launched into orbit 144 satellites. The next launch is scheduled for 17 in May from the Hainan Commercial Spaceport.
Source: https://spacenews.com