Pallas-1 sees China’s Galactic Energy join reusable launch push, closing in on SpaceX

Chinese rocket maker Galactic Energy has successfully launched its Pallas-1 medium-to-large reusable rocket, marking a significant milestone in Beijing's drive to develop reusable launch capabilities and narrow the gap with SpaceX. The two-stage, liquid-propellant rocket, standing 52 meters tall with a 3.35-meter diameter, lifted off from a self-built launch pad in Gansu province at 10am on Tuesday, entering its designated orbit before its first stage was recovered for potential vertical landing.

With a lift-off mass of about 283 tonnes and a lift-off thrust of 350 tonnes-force, Pallas-1 is designed to carry up to 7 tonnes into low Earth orbit and withstand up to 25 flights. This mission aligns with China's broader push to become a "space power," an objective enshrined in the nation's latest five-year plan. While China has made important advances in reusable rocket technology this year, including the recovery of the Long March-10B orbital booster using a sea-based net system, Galactic Energy remains behind SpaceX in terms of successful recoveries and re-flights.

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