A Chinese space company i-Space is all set to launch its reusable rocket into space in 2021. This rocket is tentatively titled as Hyperbola 2. i-Space is a Beijing based company who specialise in launching innovative rockets into space.
The payload capacity of this reusable rocket is 1.9 ton. Also, it can easily carry small and medium-sized satellites for research purpose. The takeoff weight will be 90 tons which is quite heavy. Moreover, specially designed Hyperbola-2 will launch satellites into space, particularly, LEO (Lower Earth Orbit).
i-Space Reusable Rocket Competitors
It is clear that i-Space wants to give stiff competition to SpaceX. The good thing about this Chinese reusable rocket is that the rocket production cost is reduced by 70 percent as the rocket is reusable. Liquid oxygen-methane propellants launch the rocket into space.
28 metre long Hyperbola-2 is a direct competitor to Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy made by SpaceX. Elon Musk’s SpaceX is working on reusable rockets for the past few years. Elon Musk is popular for rewriting history. Their rockets are operational and Falcon 9 was used 3 times.
Amazon’s space company Blue Origin launched New Shepard which made 9 landings. New Shepard is a reusable rocket which can carry 6 people. This vertical takeoff and vertical landing rocket flew above Karman line 5 times. Also, landed back on earth safely.
Satellite Market in China is Booming
China is good when it comes to manufacturing things at a low cost. Hyperbola-2 is no different. They made it at a lower cost and planning to launch more satellites in future. The small satellite market is booming and it will be worth $69 billion by 2030.
From imaging to research, so many satellites can be launched into space with this reusable rockets. Almost $102 million came as a fund for this reusable rocket project. Therefore, top companies around the world are ready to fund this project.
Conclusion
2 startup companies tried the same and failed. But i-Space looks determined about Hyperbola-2 and they are planning to launch it by 2021. If i-Space succeeds in this mission, more and more companies will step into rocket manufacturing. The good thing is Hyperbola-2 is cheap.
Chinese space companies are manufacturing commercial satellites that offer services like high-speed internet, aircraft, coal shipment tracking. This will surely expand the satellite market in China. We can expect more innovative satellites from china which makes our life easier.
