🚀 ZhuQue-2E | 🛰 Tianyi
Launch date: May 17, 2025 04:12 UTC
Payload: Tianyi
Location: Site 96, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, Gobi Desert, China
Vehicle: ZhuQue-2E
On May 17, 2025, Landspace’s upgraded methane-fueled ZhuQue-2E rocket launched six Tianyi satellites into Sun-synchronous orbit from Site 96 at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China, at 04:12 UTC, following a delay from an initial scrub due to ground support issues. The payloads, operated by SpaceTY (Spacety), included two optical remote sensing satellites (Tianyi 29, 35), one synthetic aperture radar satellite (Tianyi 42), and three space science experiment satellites (Tianyi 34, 45, 46)—a mix of technology demonstrators and SAR satellites. This marks the fifth launch of the ZhuQue-2-series and featured an improved, taller carbon fiber fairing and upgraded engines.
Videos
Site 96, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China
Site 96 at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is one of the dedicated launch pads operated by Landspace, a leading Chinese private aerospace company. This site serves as the primary launch facility for the ZhuQue-2E rocket, supporting China’s expanding capabilities in commercial spaceflight and satellite deployment.
Jiuquan is historically significant as China’s oldest and most utilized space launch facility, hosting both government and, more recently, private sector missions. Site 96 marks a milestone in the integration of private launch operations at a traditionally state-run spaceport, reflecting China’s efforts to foster commercial space industry growth. Notably, the ZhuQue-2E rocket launched from this site is part of China’s push toward advanced orbital access and reusable launch systems.