Zhuque-2

Zhuque-2 has a liftoff weight of 216 tonnes and uses 4 TQ-12 methalox engines in the first stage, each with a thrust of {{convert|67|t-f|kN|lk=on}}.[http://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201905/20/WS5ce20121a3104842260bc8bd.html Advanced rocket engine ready for space mission May 2019][https://rocketrundown.com/landspace-completes-hot-fire-test-of-groundbreaking-tq-12-methalox-engine/ LandSpace Completes Hot Fire Test of Groundbreaking TQ-12 Methalox Engine May 2019] The second stage uses one vacuum-optimized TQ-12 with a thrust of {{convert|80|t-f|kN}} in combination with a TQ-11 engine ({{convert|8|t-f|kN}} thrust), which acts as a vernier thruster.{{cite web |last1=Lan |first1=Chen |last2=Myrrhe |first2=Jacqueline |url=http://www.thespacereview.com/article/3787/1 |title=Will LandSpace be China's SpaceX? |work=The Space Review |date=3 September 2019 |access-date=28 November 2021}}

Zhuque-2 is capable of lifting 6,000 kg of payload into a 200 km low Earth orbit and 4,000 kg of payload into a 500 km Sun-synchronous orbit.Zhuque-2 Y2 is only capable of lifting 1,500 kg of payload into a SSO yet. {{Cite web |url=https://www.landspace.com/news-detail.html?itemid=35 |title=热烈庆祝全球首枚液氧甲烷运载火箭成功入轨——朱雀二号遥二发射圆满成功！ |language=zh-CN |quote=运载能力为500km太阳同步轨道1.5吨，后续改进型可实现500km太阳同步轨道运载能力4吨。|publisher=LandSpace |date=2023-07-13 |accessdate=2023-08-01}}

In May 2019, LandSpace performed test firings of its liquid-methane and liquid-oxygen fuelled TQ-12 rocket engine at its test facility at Huzhou, Zhejiang province. LandSpace's head of research and development, Ge Minghe, says that the engine has a thrust of 80 tonnes-force. The Huzhou facility will be able to produce about 15 ZQ-2 rockets and 200 TQ-12 engines starting in 2022, according to CEO, Zhang Changwu.[http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Advanced_rocket_engine_ready_for_space_mission_999.html Advanced rocket engine ready for space mission], Space Daily, 2019-05-21.{{cite news |url=https://spacenews.com/chinese-private-launch-firms-advance-with-methane-engines-launch-preparations-and-new-funding/ |title=Chinese private launch firms advance with methane engines, launch preparations and new funding |last=Jones |first=Andrew |publisher=SpaceNews |date=5 June 2020 |access-date=23 June 2020}}{{update inline|date=May 2024}}

On 14 December 2022, LandSpace conducted the debut flight of Zhuque-2, but failed to reach orbit due to an early shutdown of its second-stage vernier engines after the second-stage main engines apparently completed a successful burn. It was the world's first orbital launch attempt by a methane-fueled launch vehicle.{{cite web |last=Beil |first=Adrian |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/12/zhuque2-debut/ |title=Chinese Zhuque-2 fails during first methalox orbital launch attempt |work=NASASpaceFlight |date=14 December 2022 |access-date=15 December 2022}}

In March 2023, LandSpace confirmed that the second Zhuque-2 launch vehicle had completed assembly and was undergoing preparations for a launch attempt in the coming months.{{cite web |last=Beil |first=Adrian |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/03/zhuque2-flight-2/ |title=LandSpace readies for the second flight of ZhuQue-2 amid launch salvo |work=NASASpaceFlight |date=31 March 2023 |access-date=31 March 2023}}

On 12 July 2023, Zhuque-2 became the first methane-fueled launch vehicle to reach orbit after a successful second flight.{{cite web|title=China's Landspace reaches orbit with methane-powered Zhuque-2 rocket|date=12 July 2023 |url=https://spacenews.com/chinas-landspace-reaches-orbit-with-methane-powered-zhuque-2-rocket/|publisher=Spacenews.com|access-date=12 July 2023}}{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |date=2023-07-12 |title=China's Landspace reaches orbit with methane-powered Zhuque-2 rocket |url=https://spacenews.com/chinas-landspace-reaches-orbit-with-methane-powered-zhuque-2-rocket/ |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}

An enhanced version of the rocket, the Zhuque-2E, successfully placed two satellites into orbit on 27 November 2024. The new version of the rocket differs from the initial variant by featuring a common bulkhead tank structure, a new TQ-15A liquid oxygen and methane engine with thrust vectoring capabilities on the second stage, and a new niobium alloy nozzle extension on the enhanced TQ-15A engine.{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Andrew |date=27 November 2024 |title=Landspace puts 2 satellites in orbit with enhanced Zhuque-2 rocket |url=https://spacenews.com/landspace-puts-2-satellites-in-orbit-with-enhanced-zhuque-2-rocket/ |access-date=27 November 2024 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}

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