Shanghai Dahang Yueqian Aerospace Technology

Shanghai Dahang Yueqian Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd., operating under the name Cosmoleap, is a Chinese aerospace company established in March 2024 with its headquarters in Beijing. The firm is focused on the development and operation of medium-to-large reusable launch vehicles, positioning itself within China's rapidly growing commercial space sector. Its primary objective is to create low-cost, high-reliability rockets to support the construction of national satellite internet constellations, a key strategic priority for the country.

Cosmoleap garnered significant attention by securing over 100 million yuan (approximately $14 million USD) in a funding round in November 2024. This round attracted a diverse group of investors, including state-owned enterprises like Shenergy Chengyi, venture capital firms such as Boyan Venture Capital, ICY Capital, K2VC, and Tianjin Venture Capital, and private investor Zhang Chao. This capital is being deployed to advance the development of its flagship rocket, the Yueqian (also known as "Leap-1").

The company's core product is the Yueqian-1, a methane-powered reusable rocket. This launch vehicle is designed to be 75 meters long with a 4.0-meter diameter. It has a projected payload capacity of 10,460 kilograms to a 1,000-kilometer orbit in its expendable configuration, and 6,280 kilograms when the first stage is reused. A distinguishing feature of Cosmoleap's strategy is its recovery system, which is modeled after SpaceX's "chopstick" tower-based landing mechanism. This approach eliminates the need for landing legs on the rocket itself, which reduces weight and potentially increases payload capacity. The company has already initiated ground tests for this tower recovery system.

To support its rocket's functionality, Cosmoleap is also developing key proprietary technologies. This includes the FLOTONE ONE, an onboard computer that integrates flight control, engine thrust control, and telemetry acquisition, utilizing automotive and industrial-grade components to balance cost and reliability. The company has also completed ground hot-fire tests for the 100N and 300N engines that comprise the auxiliary propulsion system, which is crucial for controlling the rocket's attitude during flight. Cosmoleap has ambitious long-term plans that include the development of a much larger, 126-meter rocket with a reusable payload capacity of 36 tons, targeting a potential first flight in 2030.

Keywords: reusable launch vehicles, commercial space, satellite constellations, methane-powered rocket, tower recovery system, chopstick landing, space exploration, aerospace engineering, launch services, Yueqian rocket, Leap-1, Chinese aerospace, satellite internet, rocket propulsion, flight control systems, private spaceflight, space technology, Beijing aerospace, orbital launch, payload deployment