A Zhuque-2 Improved Flight 4 rocket lifted off at 7:40 p.m. on October 14 from the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Pilot Zone near Jiuquan and placed ten satellites in their planned orbit. It follows the September 15 launch by 29 days, underscoring a faster launch cadence among private Chinese space firms.
According to Xinhua and 21st Century Business Herald, a Zhuque-2 Improved Flight 4 (Y4) carrier rocket launched at 19:40 Beijing time on October 14 from the Dongfeng Commercial Aerospace Innovation Pilot Zone in Jiuquan and delivered its ten satellites into the planned orbit. The Global Times also reported the successful one-rocket, ten-satellite launch. The Zhuque-2 Improved is operated by private company LandSpace.
광고 문의 · 300×250The payload comprises eight satellites from Guoxing Aerospace and two laser data-transmission test satellites from Lanta Intelligent. The Guoxing group includes Star Era-39 and Star Era 44 to 50, while Lanta's pair are Optical Relay-03 and -04. The launch came 29 days after the September 15 flight of the Zhuque-2 Improved Y7, which carried ten Qianfan polar-orbit satellites.
Space computing and laser communication tests
Reports say the Guoxing satellites carry high-performance computing payloads and are testing in-orbit computing under the company's Star Computing plan, along with large radiator wings. Industry explanations hold that processing data in orbit rather than sending everything to the ground can ease the transmission burden.
Both companies are also testing high-speed laser links between satellites and between satellites and the ground. Lanta's satellites verify high-integration onboard processing, large-aperture laser communication, integrated laser routing and a new solar array system. However, actual data rates and test results were not released, so performance remains unconfirmed.
Trends in the private launch market
Back-to-back launches show Chinese commercial spaceflight shortening its launch cycle and growing its ability to loft many satellites at once. Globally, U.S. firms such as SpaceX lead low-Earth-orbit launches, and Chinese companies are competing on cost reduction and reusable technology. The next Zhuque-2 Improved launch date has not been confirmed, and further assessment is expected when test results are made public.