Reusable Chinese Rocket Pallas-1 Successfully Launches
Galactic Energy’s Pallas-1 rocket has made its inaugural flight on August 31, 2026, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. The mission was deemed successful, with the rocket achieving its designated orbit, marking a significant milestone for the company.
Pallas-1, a two-stage rocket standing 171 feet (52 meters) tall, is designed to carry approximately 15,400 pounds (7,000 kilograms) into low Earth orbit. It features a reusable first stage capable of flying up to 25 times, similar to SpaceX’s Falcon 9, which also utilizes grid fins for landing.
While the debut flight did not include a landing attempt, Galactic Energy plans to execute this milestone in the latter half of 2027. The company aims to integrate solid and liquid propellants through a dual-engine approach, enhancing its capabilities in the satellite launch market.
The launch of Pallas-1 adds to the growing trend of reusable rockets in China, following recent successful landings by other models like the Long March 10B and Zhuque-3. Several other companies in China are also developing partially reusable rockets.
