{
  "id": 4820443,
  "title": "Pallas-1 sees China’s Galactic Energy join reusable launch push, closing in on SpaceX",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/pallas-1-sees-chinas-galactic-energy-join-reusable-launch-push",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-01T08:30:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SCMP Tech",
    "slug": "scmp-tech",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3365964/pallas-1-sees-chinas-galactic-energy-join-reusable-launch-push-closing-spacex"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "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.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}