By Bill D’Zio

July 25, 2019

Credit: weixin.qq

Rockets launch very frequently form China in the recent years. It may not seem like much, but a small Hyperbola-1 rocket launched from China Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is located in Gansu Province, China.  This time, the rocket was launched by a private company,Beijing Interstellar Glory Space Technology Ltd. (“StarCraft Glory”), or otherwise known as i-space.

Hyperbola-1

Established in October 2016, Beijing Interstellar Glory Space Technology Ltd.(“StarCraft Glory”) is committed to developing commercial launch vehicles and providing systemic launch solutions.

The company’s market approach is to develop high-quality, low-cost, fast-responding small smart launch vehicles.  They also aim to provide integrated commercial launch services for small satellite and constellation customers. As explained on their website, i-SPACE believes commercial aerospace customers need more efficient, better and more cost-effective launch services to significantly enhance human freedom to enter and exit the space.

According to Chinese state new reports, the Hyperbola-1 rocket “SQX-1 Y1” successfully delivered it’s payload to a 300-kilometer orbit.  i-space successfully launched at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu Province, China.  As i-space is a privately funded company, it marks the beginning of a new era in commercial spaceflight. China has officially entered into the very small group of countries that can claim private companies have successfully launched a rocket into space and demonstrate they can deliver payloads into orbit.

SQX-1 Y1 lofted two satellites and a three small payloads.    The first satellite was provided by Aerospace Science and Space Engineering Development Co., Ltd.  The second was provided by Beijing Institute of Technology.   There were several secondary payloads included provided by private companies.

Hyperbola-1 rocket specs

Credit: i-space.com.cn

Rocket Lab vs. i-space

Comparing the i-space Hyperbola-1 rocket to the Rocket Lab Electron, we can see the two approaches are different. Both are similar class rockets with similar payload mass capacity.

i-space Hyperbola-1

• The typical 300km LEO mission of Hyperbola-1 launch vehicle is 280kg
• The Hyperbola-1 launch vehicle has a length of about 21 meters, a total mass of about 31 tons and a takeoff thrust of 555 KN.
• Has three solid rocket stages to deliver into orbit
• Fourth-stage liquid attitude and orbit control engines.

Rocketlab Electron

• The typical 500km SSO mission of Electron launch vehicle is 175kg
• The Rocket Lab Electron launch vehicle has a length of about 17 meters, a total mass of about 12.5 tons and a takeoff thrust of 165 KN.
• Has two liquid fueled rocket stages to deliver into orbit
• Optional kick stage for orbital adjustment

Credit: i-space.com.cn

Next Steps for i-space

With the first successful launch completed, i-space will likely start to go after more commercial customers in the international market. With a growing list of small-satellite launcher companies popping up across the world, there likely will not be enough customers to go around, which may make a surplus of capacity and further drive down launch costs.   Many of these startup companies will likely experience funding difficulties as the global competition heats up.  Companies in China such as i-space, Lndspace, and Galactic Energy will go head to head with companies in the US such as Firefly Aerospace, Rocket Lab, Virgin Orbit.  Further market complicating matters is a growing list of heavy launch vehicles that are driving costs down such as Space-X and Blue Origin.  Companies that can get to the market and secure a healthy launch record will be in a very good market position moving forward.

To stay relevant in the market, i-space has planned an upgrade to their rocket.  The Hyperbola-2 will have more payload capacity and feature reusability.   The Hyperbola-2 launch vehicle is expected to be a two-stage liquid launch vehicle with a diameter of 2.5m.  It will be taller and much more massive than the Hyperbola-1 coming in at total length of 38m and a take-off mass of 95t.  The upgraded liquid fueled engines will produce a takeoff thrust of 112.5t allowing a low earth orbit carrying capacity of 1.9t.