SpaceX and the 7 dwarves: Chinese space firms line up to enter reusable rocket race

Chinese space launch start-ups are racing to debut their reusable rockets next year, driven by the nation’s push to build internet megaconstellations in low-Earth orbit (LEO) in a challenge to SpaceX’s Starlink.

At least seven new private rockets, all featuring vertical recovery and reusability, are aiming to reach orbit in 2025 and compete for launch contracts to deploy tens of thousands of broadband satellites in the coming years.

Leading the charge is the Tianlong-3, a 71-metre, two-stage kerosene and liquid oxygen rocket being assembled by Space Pioneer in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province, in eastern China.

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Tianlong-3 is the second most powerful rocket developed in China, surpassed only by the Long March-5B. With a payload capacity of 17 tonnes for LEO, it is designed for batch satellite deployments and could carry 30 or more satellites per launch, Jiangsu Television reported on Sunday.

“These technologies, including 3D-printed stainless steel engines and liquid nitrogen gasification pressurisation, were developed specifically to meet the ‘low-cost, high-reliability and high-frequency’ demands of internet satellite launches,” Liu told Jiangsu Television.

The first stage of Tianlong-3 is powered by nine Tianhuo-12 engines and can be used up to 10 times, according to the company’s website.

Hot on Tianlong-3’s heels is Zhuque-3, a medium-lift reusable rocket being developed by LandSpace in Huzhou, Zhejiang province. Zhuque-3 is the only one of the seven set to attempt both orbital insertion and first-stage recovery during its maiden flight next year.