Landspace's Zhuque-2E Y5 Successful with 2.8-ton Payload to 900km Orbit
Summary: Landspace's Zhuque-2E Y5 rocket successfully launched on May 14, 2026 at 03:00 UTC from the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Test Zone in China. The vehicle placed a 2.8-ton customized test payload into a 900km orbit, marking the seventh flight of the Zhuque-2 series and its entry into mature operational service.
Mission Overview
The Zhuque-2E (ZQ-2E) is a two-stage extended liquid oxygen/methane launch vehicle developed by Landspace. The May 14 mission demonstrated the rocket's enhanced capacity for large-payload missions.
Key specifications:
- Length: ~55.9m, Diameter: 3.35m, Fairing max diameter: 4.2m
- Liftoff mass: ~267 tons (payload excluded), Thrust: 338 tons
- First stage: 4x TQ-12A LOX/methane engines, 828kN sea-level thrust each (+108kN upgrade)
- Second stage: TQ-15A vacuum engine, 858kN thrust
The 2.8-ton payload was designed for large constellation deployment, targeting a 900km orbit.
Technical Improvements
The Zhuque-2E incorporates systematic design iterations over previous missions:
- Extended first stage with increased propellant capacity and mass reduction
- Engine thrust upgrade (+108kN per TQ-12A) with thrust self-correction capability
- Overall performance optimization enabling multi-orbit mission adaptability
Landspace states the ZQ-2E now delivers 4 tons to 500km Sun-synchronous orbit and 6 tons to LEO, making it China's primary operational LOX/methane medium-lift vehicle. It can work in combination with the reusable Zhuque-3 for expanded launch services.
Significance
The successful flight confirms the Zhuque-2 series has reached mature and stable operational status, providing reliable launch capacity for satellite internet and large constellation programs.