Jiuquan: A commercial rocket lifted off on Saturday in northwest China, successfully sending six satellites into space. The rocket, coded ZQ-2E Y2, blasted off at 12:12 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone near the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. It is a modified variant of the ZQ-2 model developed by the Beijing-headquartered private rocket maker LandSpace.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the ZQ-2E Y2 rocket, named after Zhuque (Vermilion bird), represents one of the four spirits of ancient Chinese mythology, symbolizing fire and controlling the southerly direction. This modified version of the ZQ-2 boasts a dual-cryogenic liquid propellant system and features a high-thrust engine powered by both liquid oxygen and methane, the latter being the main component of natural gas.
The company claims that the rocket is capable of delivering a 4-tonne payload to a 500-km sun-synchronous orbit. Saturday’s launch marks the 5th mission in the ZQ-2 series of rockets. Prior to this mission, the company successfully launched a modified ZQ-2 Y1 rocket in November 2024, sending two satellites into orbit.
The company highlighted that the new rocket incorporates several upgrades over its previous model, including improved engine thrust and the use of composite materials to replace metals in the fairing, which enhance its efficiency and reliability.