Summary of Key Points
On August 19th, the Blue Arrow Aerospace Zhuque-3 Yao-2 rocket was successfully launched. It not only placed the satellite in the intended orbit but also achieved for the first time the vertical retraction and subsequent landing of the rocket's first stage in China. This marked the verification of the technical feasibility of using liquid oxygen and methane as fuel, a stainless steel rocket body, and a vertical recovery system. This achievement is of great significance for Blue Arrow; it not only addresses the issue of the failed landing during the maiden flight of Yao-1 but also provides critical technical support for its IPO on the Sci-Tech Innovation Board (STAR Market). For the industry as a whole, the competition in reusable rockets has shifted from whether they can be recovered to whether they can be reused frequently and at lower costs. Blue Arrow's next challenge is to demonstrate that the recovered rocket can be launched again.
1. Yao-2 Addresses the Issue of the “Last Braking Stage” from Yao-1
During the maiden flight of Yao-1, most of the recovery process of the first stage was successful, but there were issues with the landing and ignition phase, resulting in a hard landing instead of a soft one. Yao-2 made several key improvements to the “last few kilometers” of the flight:
- Simplified Landing Mechanism: The number of engines used for landing and ignition was reduced, simplifying the system and reducing the likelihood of errors.
- Added Safety Features: The rocket can calculate its own landing position in real-time and make adjustments if necessary to avoid hitting unintended targets.
- Other Enhancements: The second-stage engine was equipped with a larger nozzle to carry heavier satellites, and a non-explosive separation device was added to ensure smoother separation of multiple satellites. Additionally, 12 modified consumer-grade cameras were used to record the entire flight, which could withstand the vibrations and high temperatures during launch, facilitating post-flight analysis by engineers.
In short, Yao-2 fixed the problems that occurred with Yao-1 and laid the groundwork for future launches of more satellites.
2. This Success Adds Critical Weight to Blue Arrow’s IPO
Blue Arrow is currently in the process of applying for listing on the STAR Market, aiming to raise 7.5 billion yuan. The main concerns from the outside world were whether its reusable technology was viable and whether it could generate stable profits. The success of Yao-2 provides answers to these questions:
- It demonstrates that the use of liquid oxygen and methane combined with a vertical recovery system is feasible in practice.
- It has completed the full verification of the technology from orbit insertion to rocket recovery, convincing investors of its potential for commercialization.
- If Blue Arrow can successfully launch the recovered rocket again, its IPO application will be even more compelling.
This success shows that Blue Arrow has passed an important milestone on its path to listing.
3. The Competition in Reusable Rockets in China: Two Different Approaches
There are currently two main approaches to rocket recovery in China:
- Long March 10B (State-Owned): Marine-based recovery system, where the first stage of the rocket does not have landing legs and is caught by a marine platform upon return. The platform handles the buffering and stabilization.
- Zhuque-3 (Private): Land-based recovery using landing legs; the rocket uses its own engines for deceleration and attitude control to land safely, requiring only a 60-meter by 60-meter flat area for recovery.
There is no clear superiority between the two methods: the marine-based system is suitable for larger rockets that do not require land resources, while the land-based system has lower场地 requirements. Companies like Blue Arrow, Xinghe Power, and Star Glory are also involved in rocket recovery efforts. The industry’s focus has shifted from whether recovery is possible to who can achieve faster reuse and cheaper launches.
4. Recovery Is Just the Beginning; Reusing Rockets Again Is the Real Challenge
The ultimate goal of rocket recovery is to reduce costs. The cost of the first stage of traditional rockets accounts for around 70%, and if a rocket could be reused 10 times, the overall cost would be significantly reduced. However, there are challenges:
- Additional fuel must be carried for the return flight, as well as additional equipment such as landing legs and grid fins, which increase the weight and reduce the payload capacity.
- After recovery, engines need to be inspected, parts replaced, and tests conducted, all of which require time and money.
For example, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 first stage has been launched over 36 times, mostly for its own Starlink satellites. Blue Arrow’s next step is to demonstrate that the recovered rocket can be successfully launched again. This is more challenging than simply recovering it, as it requires controlling maintenance costs and shortening launch intervals to make reuse economically viable.
In conclusion, Yao-2 represents a major milestone for Blue Arrow. The success of this mission brings them one step closer to achieving their goal of commercialization. The real test lies in whether they can actually reuse the recovered rockets effectively.
Final Remark
The success of Zhuque-3 Yao-2 has enabled Blue Arrow to move from being capable of launching rockets to being able to recover them. However, to achieve true commercial success, they must also prove that the recovered rockets can be reliably launched again—this is the ultimate goal of reusable rocket technology.