LandSpaceZhuque-2Launch Area 96A, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Maiden Flight

Launched

December 14, 2022

Launch Failure

Summary

Maiden Flight launched on a LandSpace Zhuque-2 from Launch Area 96A, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China on December 14, 2022. The mission failed: Second-stage vernier engines unexpectedly shut down during second stage main engine cut-off after LOX pump casing was broken by SECO-induced forces at the LOX inlet; the vernier engines were planned to continue firing to reach orbit. It was LandSpace's 2nd launch, 1st this year and humanity's 6,358th orbital launch attempt. It was the 1st Zhuque-2 flight. The payload was bound for low Earth orbit (LEO).

Result: Second-stage vernier engines unexpectedly shut down during second stage main engine cut-off after LOX pump casing was broken by SECO-induced forces at the LOX inlet; the vernier engines were planned to continue firing to reach orbit.
Watch: HD recap of Zhuque 2 Y1 launch by LandSpaceCNSA Watcher - Archives
Vehicle: Zhuque-2 · LandSpace
Booster: No booster details on record.
Mission: Test Flight · Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
Milestone: 1st Zhuque-2 flightLandSpace's 2nd launch1st this yearhumanity's 6,358th orbital launch attempt176th orbital launch attempt this year

Flight preview

About this launch

First flight of the new methalox rocket developed by Chinese startup LandSpace.

Pad

Launch Area 96A, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

1st launch from Launch Area 96A, 1st this year · 182nd from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

10 launches from this pad · 299 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

under an hour after the previous launch from this pad

All launches from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China Open in maps

Updates

Launch failure reported per leaks; awaiting official information.

Cosmic_Penguin · Dec 14, 2022 · source

Show 4 earlier updates

New launch date per NOTAMs.
Cosmic_Penguin · 12/8/2022 · source
Marked GO for launch.
Cosmic_Penguin · 12/8/2022 · source
Added potential launch date and time, but identity of the launch with ZQ-2 is very uncertain.
Cosmic_Penguin · 12/6/2022 · source
NET Dec. 3
Cosmic_Penguin · 10/23/2022 · source

Questions

When did Maiden Flight launch?

Maiden Flight launched on December 14, 2022. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.

Why did Maiden Flight fail?

Second-stage vernier engines unexpectedly shut down during second stage main engine cut-off after LOX pump casing was broken by SECO-induced forces at the LOX inlet; the vernier engines were planned to continue firing to reach orbit.

Where can I watch Maiden Flight?

Coverage: HD recap of Zhuque 2 Y1 launch by LandSpace. Watch the replay

What rocket launched Maiden Flight?

Zhuque-2, flown by LandSpace. Zhuque-2 spec sheet

Where did Maiden Flight launch from?

Launch Area 96A, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China.

What orbit was Maiden Flight going to?

Low Earth Orbit (LEO), a test flight mission.