Yueqian-1
A two-stage reusable methane rocket designed to lift more than 10 tonnes, with a first stage caught by arms on the launch tower and reused up to 20 times. First flight is targeted for 2027.
Why it matters
Tower catch removes landing legs and their weight. Cosmoleap says it is the first Chinese company developing a tower-catch rocket; success would add reusable capacity for China's satellite constellations.
How the technology works
Nine 80-tonne-class liquid-oxygen and methane engines power the first stage. Instead of landing on legs, the booster returns to the pad and is grabbed by the tower.
The company says this cuts mass, landing loads and engine plume damage and shortens checkout between flights.
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction