China's Long March 2nd carrier rocket successfully launches on its first flight, with a single-launch cost now rivaling SpaceX

SighingCashier · 2026-03-30T18:02:57+00:00

China's commercial space launch industry reaches a new milestone as the Long March 2D carrier rocket successfully makes its first flight, sending three satellites into orbit with a single launch, demonstrating its low cost and commercial potential. The rocket is reusable, and future costs are expected to be reduced to half of SpaceX's.

SighingCashier

2026-03-30 18:02:57

Abstract generation in progress

A new milestone for China’s commercial space launches: the Lijian-2 launch vehicle scored a successful maiden flight by deploying three satellites in a single shot, while also demonstrating the commercial potential of domestically produced medium-sized liquid-fueled rockets to the outside world with highly competitive cost data.

The CASC Aerospace “Lijian-2 Yaoyi Launch Vehicle • International Fandouhao” successfully launched at the Dongfeng commercial space launch test area, placing 3 satellites into orbit. This was the 12th launch of the Lijian series launch vehicles and the first flight of Lijian-2.

According to Yang Haoliang, chief commander of Lijian-2, at present, with Lijian-2 in a non-recovery state, the per-launch cost is basically on par with the per-launch cost of the U.S. SpaceX Falcon 9 in a recovery state. After recovery is achieved, costs are expected to drop further to as low as half of SpaceX’s.

Lijian-2 has reusability capability. In the future, it plans to adopt a clustered recovery scheme using bundled universal core stages.

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