Chinese startup develops reusable rockets

The startup Orienspace has raised more than $100 million to develop a new series of rockets, one of which is reusable.

Orienspace was founded in 2020, from an initial capital of $65 million, with the aim of exploring a new model of aerospace development. In a recent statement, the company said it had raised an additional $47 million in funding, making it one of the best-backed startups in China despite its young age.

Simulation of a Gravity 1 rocket preparing to take off from a sea launch pad.

Orienspace aims to launch its first rocket, Gravity 1, in 2023. Gravity 1 consists of a liquid-fueled central stage combined with solid-fuel propulsion stages. The device will have a height of 31m and be capable of launching 3,000kg of payload into low Earth orbit, also known as LEO orbit.

Not stopping there, the company also plans to launch Gravity 2 and 3, with larger sizes and more complex designs, in 2024 and 2025 respectively. Gravity 2 is capable of carrying 15,000kg of payload. to LEO, while this figure in Gravity 3 is 30,000 kg.

What makes the Gravity 3 more special than its two predecessors is not only its size and power, but it's also a partially reusable rocket model like SpaceX's Falcon 9.

Orienspace has now begun construction of a commercial launch vehicle integration, assembly and testing center in Haiyang City, Shandong Province, China. The facility will also provide a launch pad and sea landing pad for the missiles.