Zhishenxing-1 Achieves Successful Maiden Flight! Recovery Verification to Follow

en.Wedoany.com Reported - At 10:00 on September 1, the Zhishenxing-1, a medium-to-large reusable liquid-propellant launch vehicle independently developed by China's Galactic Energy, lifted off from the dedicated Zhishenxing-series launch pad at the Jiuquan Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Pilot Zone, and entered its predetermined orbit smoothly as programmed.

Zhishenxing-1 is one of the core launch vehicle models that Galactic Energy has strategically focused on for large-scale constellation deployment and large-satellite launch markets. The rocket features a two-stage configuration (with an optional upper stage), measures 52 meters in total length, has a core stage diameter of 3.35 meters, a liftoff mass of approximately 283 tons, and a liftoff thrust of 350 tons. Its low Earth orbit (LEO) payload capacity meets the requirements for LEO constellation deployment missions.

The rocket is designed for no fewer than 25 reuse cycles. Its first stage is powered by a parallel cluster of seven Cangqiong-50 (CQ-50) pintle-injector reusable liquid oxygen/kerosene engines independently developed by Galactic Energy. To support recovery and reuse requirements, this engine model has demonstrated a wide throttling capability ranging from 32% to 105% of rated thrust, as well as multiple restart capability.

According to the roadmap, the recovery and reuse of Zhishenxing-1 will be advanced through a steady approach. The first step is the maiden orbital flight to comprehensively acquire full-flight data and validate the baseline overall power and control capabilities. The second step involves progressively activating first-stage reentry control, grid-fin operation, braking and deceleration, and sea/land pinpoint recovery verification in subsequent missions, achieving a complete vertical landing recovery of the first stage. The third step is to enter high-frequency reuse and scaled commercialization, optimizing reuse and refurbishment procedures, reducing reuse costs, and improving reuse turnaround efficiency.

This mission also marked the first use of the Phase I launch pad of the "Zhishenxing" series rocket launch site, self-built by Galactic Energy. The pad supports the full process of rocket testing, propellant loading, and launch operations.

To date, Galactic Energy has successfully conducted 22 orbital launch missions, delivering a total of 89 commercial satellites with various functions into their predetermined orbits. With the successful launch of Zhishenxing-1, the company has formally established a product matrix featuring the coordinated development of the "Gushenxing" (Ceres-1) series of small and medium solid launch vehicles and the "Zhishenxing" series of medium-to-large reusable liquid launch vehicles, further enhancing its market service capabilities.