A vertical takeoff, vertical landing test by Linkspace of China in January 2018.
5.10.2018
Render of a NewLine-1 rocket under development by Linkspace. Linkspace
Chinese private launch company Linkspace says it will begin releasing updates on its test vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL) rockets as part of development of an orbital launcher.
While fellow launch startups iSpace, OneSpace and Landspace have all recently been busy launching suborbital rockets or, in the case of the latter, preparing for an orbital mission, Linkspace has been quiet.
The company says it is developing the NewLine-1 rocket, the first stage of which will be able to land after takeoff and be reused.
In a tweet last month Linkspace released CGI of the NewLine-1 in action and stated it would frequently release the updates on the technological progress of its suborbital reusable rockets, citing one version named RLV-T5.
Footage of testing of the RLV-T5 was released in January this year, when the company also stated it would aim to launch the much larger NL-1 for the first time in 2020.
The NewLine-1 rocket, with a reusable first stage, will be capable of carrying 200 kg of micro and nanosats to Sun-synchronous orbit up to an altitude of 500 kilometres.
If successfully developed and proven to be reliable and economical, such capabilities could help reduce long costs but also limit the dangers of launching inland, which frequently result in rocket debris landing in inhabited areas.
iSpace and OneSpace have launched two suborbital solid-propellant rockets each since April, with the last being filmed from orbit by a commercial Jilin-1 video satellite.
Landspace meanwhile will attempt the first orbital launch by the emerging private Chinese launch companies late this month, with the Zhuque-1 rocket to carry the Future (Weila-1) satellite into a Sun-synchronous orbit for China Central Television (CCTV).
The Chinese government opened portions of the space sector to private capital in late 2014, opening the door to commercial small satellite and launch vehicle companies.
Screenshot of Jilin-1 commercial video footage of the OneSpace OS-X1 suborbital rocket launch from Jiuquan on September 7, 2018.
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