{"id":89137,"date":"2026-09-03T15:42:09","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T07:42:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/?p=89137"},"modified":"2026-09-03T15:42:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T07:42:09","slug":"pallas-1-completes-successful-maiden-flight-why-did-galactic-energy-stick-with-lox-kerosene","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/pallas-1-completes-successful-maiden-flight-why-did-galactic-energy-stick-with-lox-kerosene\/","title":{"rendered":"PALLAS-1 Completes Successful Maiden Flight: Why Did Galactic Energy Stick With LOX\/Kerosene?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>On the morning of September 1, PALLAS-1 Y1 lifted off from Jiuquan and successfully entered its planned orbit. For Galactic Energy, the mission marked not only the debut of a new launch vehicle, but also the company\u2019s transition from small solid-fuel rockets to a medium-lift liquid-fuel rocket.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The rocket also embodies a choice that is easy to overlook. At a time when liquid oxygen\/methane has become a popular propulsion option for reusable rockets, PALLAS-1 still relies on the CQ-50, a liquid oxygen\/kerosene engine.<\/p>\n<p>Why kerosene? Was the choice driven by greater technological maturity, or by the rocket\u2019s need for high thrust and a compact structure? Kerosene is prone to coking, so how can it support first-stage recovery and reuse?<\/p>\n<p><strong>In short:<\/strong> selecting a rocket propellant is not about ranking fuels by how \u201cadvanced\u201d they are. Liquid oxygen\/methane burns more cleanly and generally offers higher specific impulse by mass. Liquid oxygen\/kerosene has a higher bulk propellant density, allowing for more compact tanks and vehicle structures, while benefiting from more extensive experience in ground storage and handling.<\/p>\n<p>Based on PALLAS-1\u2019s publicly disclosed configuration, Galactic Energy has selected an integrated design intended to deliver five to seven tonnes to low Earth orbit, using a cluster of seven engines and eventually supporting first-stage recovery. The trade-off is equally clear: kerosene engines require more rigorous management of thermal cracking, deposits, cleaning and post-flight condition assessment.<\/p>\n<h2>1. Understanding the Rocket: What It Has Proven So Far Is That It Can Reach Orbit<\/h2>\n<p>At 10:00 a.m. Beijing Time on September 1, 2026, PALLAS-1 Y1 lifted off from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Pilot Zone. The China National Space Administration reported that the vehicle performed normally throughout the flight, achieved the mission\u2019s test objectives and completed the mission successfully. Galactic Energy subsequently confirmed that the rocket had entered its planned orbit as intended.[1][2]<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-88927\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Pallas-1-Y1-Another-New-Rocket-from-a-Chinese-Private-Launch-Company-Reaches-Orbit.webp\" alt=\"Pallas-1 Y1 Another New Rocket from a Chinese Private Launch Company Reaches Orbit\" width=\"1080\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Pallas-1-Y1-Another-New-Rocket-from-a-Chinese-Private-Launch-Company-Reaches-Orbit.webp 1080w, \/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Pallas-1-Y1-Another-New-Rocket-from-a-Chinese-Private-Launch-Company-Reaches-Orbit-300x200.webp 300w, \/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Pallas-1-Y1-Another-New-Rocket-from-a-Chinese-Private-Launch-Company-Reaches-Orbit-1024x683.webp 1024w, \/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Pallas-1-Y1-Another-New-Rocket-from-a-Chinese-Private-Launch-Company-Reaches-Orbit-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>PALLAS-1 Y1 lifts off. Image source: Galactic Energy\u2019s public report dated September 2, 2026.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>PALLAS-1 uses a two-stage configuration and can be fitted with an optional upper stage. The rocket is 52 meters long, has a core-stage diameter of 3.35 meters, a liftoff mass of approximately 283 tonnes and liftoff thrust of 350 tonnes. Its publicly stated low Earth orbit payload capacity ranges from five to seven tonnes. The first stage is powered by seven CQ-50 liquid oxygen\/kerosene engines. Its target market includes the deployment of low Earth orbit constellations and the launch of large satellites.[2][3]<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLiquid oxygen\/kerosene\u201d refers to a propellant combination: liquid oxygen is the oxidizer, while kerosene is the fuel. They are stored separately aboard the rocket and mixed inside the thrust chamber for combustion. What a rocket program selects is not simply a fuel. The choice also encompasses the engine cycle, thrust class, injection and cooling systems, tank dimensions, ground-fueling procedures, and the way the entire vehicle is manufactured and launched.<\/p>\n<p>No first-stage recovery attempt was announced for this mission. According to the development roadmap disclosed by Galactic Energy, Y1 was intended to complete baseline validation during the maiden flight. Subsequent missions will progressively test reentry control, grid fins, braking and deceleration, and precision recovery at sea or on land.<\/p>\n<p>The successful maiden flight demonstrated that the complete vehicle could reach orbit. Several more levels of evidence will still be required before Galactic Energy can demonstrate that the first stage can return and fly again.[3]<\/p>\n<p><strong>Table 1.<\/strong>\u00a0Launch-vehicle-level trade-offs between liquid oxygen\/kerosene and liquid oxygen\/methane<\/p>\n<div style=\"max-width: 800px; margin: 24px auto; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; border: 1px solid #3b74bf; border-radius: 8px; overflow: hidden; box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #0b3c85; color: #ffffff; font-size: 20px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; padding: 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #3b74bf;\">Choosing a Launch Vehicle Propellant: Specific Impulse Is Not the Only Factor<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #174f75; color: #e2e8f0; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; padding: 10px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #3b74bf;\">Kerosene and methane involve different vehicle-level trade-offs<\/div>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff; margin: 0; border-spacing: 0;\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #3b74bf; color: #ffffff;\">\n<th style=\"width: 24%; padding: 12px 10px; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 600; text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #ffffff; border-bottom: 1px solid #0b3c85;\">Criterion<\/th>\n<th style=\"width: 38%; padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 600; text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #ffffff; border-bottom: 1px solid #0b3c85;\">LOX\/Kerosene<\/th>\n<th style=\"width: 38%; padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 600; text-align: center; border-bottom: 1px solid #0b3c85;\">LOX\/Methane<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #edf2f7;\">\n<td style=\"font-weight: 600; color: #1a202c; text-align: left; padding: 12px 10px 12px 18px; font-size: 15px; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Mass Efficiency<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; color: #2c3e50; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Widely available, but typically has a slightly lower specific impulse<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; color: #2c3e50; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Typically offers a slightly higher specific impulse<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f8fafc;\">\n<td style=\"font-weight: 600; color: #1a202c; text-align: left; padding: 12px 10px 12px 18px; font-size: 15px; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Volume Efficiency<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; color: #2c3e50; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Higher propellant bulk density allows more compact tanks<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; color: #2c3e50; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Lower propellant bulk density increases tank volume and structural demands<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #edf2f7;\">\n<td style=\"font-weight: 600; color: #1a202c; text-align: left; padding: 12px 10px 12px 18px; font-size: 15px; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Reuse and Maintenance<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; color: #2c3e50; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Requires attention to thermal cracking, coking and cleaning<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; color: #2c3e50; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Burns more cleanly and is less prone to carbon buildup<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f8fafc;\">\n<td style=\"font-weight: 600; color: #1a202c; text-align: left; padding: 12px 10px 12px 18px; font-size: 15px; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Ground Operations<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; color: #2c3e50; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Stored at ambient temperature, with extensive operational experience<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; color: #2c3e50;\">Requires cryogenic storage and transportation on the fuel side as well<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div style=\"background-color: #0b3c85; padding: 12px 16px; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; color: #ffffff; line-height: 1.5; text-align: center;\">Conclusion: There is no single \u201cbest propellant\u201d independent of launch vehicle architecture and mission requirements.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>Source: Analysis created by the author based on publicly available information.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>2. Kerosene or Methane: Which Is Better for Rockets?<\/h2>\n<p>The best-known metric in discussions of rocket propellants is <strong>specific impulse<\/strong>. Broadly speaking, it describes how much effective impulse an engine can generate for a given amount of propellant consumed. All else being approximately equal, a higher specific impulse means better propellant mass efficiency.<\/p>\n<p>A first-stage rocket, however, cannot be designed solely in kilograms. Its designers must also think in cubic meters. A lower-density propellant requires larger tanks to store the same mass. Changes in tank diameter and length affect surface area, structural mass, aerodynamic shape, transportation requirements and factory equipment.<\/p>\n<p>System-level design therefore also considers \u201cdensity-specific impulse.\u201d This is not simply another engine marketing metric. Instead, it reminds designers that mass efficiency and volumetric efficiency may move in opposite directions.<\/p>\n<p>In a theoretical comparison conducted under standardized conditions, Tan Yonghua assumed a chamber pressure of 25 MPa and a nozzle area ratio of 30. The theoretical specific impulses of liquid oxygen\/methane and liquid oxygen\/kerosene thrust chambers were calculated at 345 seconds and 335 seconds, respectively. Their propellant density-specific impulses were approximately 2.797\u00d710<sup>6<\/sup> and 3.40\u00d710<sup>6<\/sup>\u00a0kg\u00b7m<sup>\u22122<\/sup>\u00b7s<sup>\u22121<\/sup>, respectively.\u00a0The first set of figures shows methane\u2019s advantage in mass efficiency. The second demonstrates kerosene\u2019s advantage in volumetric efficiency.[4]<\/p>\n<p><strong>The most prominent advantage of liquid oxygen\/methane is cleaner operation.<\/strong> Methane is less prone to coking inside regenerative cooling channels, while its combustion produces less soot. These characteristics make it attractive for engines designed for multiple starts and frequent reuse. Methane also generally offers a modest advantage in mass-specific impulse.<\/p>\n<p>The trade-offs are that methane itself must be stored at cryogenic temperatures, while the bulk density of the liquid oxygen\/methane combination is lower than that of liquid oxygen\/kerosene. Designers must therefore reconsider vehicle volume and cryogenic ground infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Liquid oxygen\/kerosene offers compactness and technological maturity.<\/strong> Kerosene can be stored at ambient temperature and has a relatively high density, giving the propellant combination good volumetric efficiency. More compact tanks and vehicle structures can be particularly valuable for a first stage that operates within the atmosphere and must generate high thrust.<\/p>\n<p>China has also accumulated substantial engineering experience in liquid oxygen\/kerosene engines, propellant supply and ground fueling. Publicly available research consequently concludes that both liquid oxygen\/kerosene and liquid oxygen\/methane can be used in reusable rockets: the former currently benefits from a stronger engineering foundation, while the latter has greater potential in clean combustion and ease of maintenance.[5]<\/p>\n<p><strong>Table 2.<\/strong>\u00a0How propellant selection affects the entire launch vehicle<\/p>\n<div style=\"max-width: 800px; margin: 24px auto; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; border: 1px solid #3b74bf; border-radius: 8px; overflow: hidden; box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #0b3c85; color: #ffffff; font-size: 20px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; padding: 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #3b74bf;\">Why Does Changing the Propellant Affect Almost the Entire Launch Vehicle?<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #174f75; color: #e2e8f0; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; padding: 10px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #3b74bf;\">Propellant properties have cascading effects on manufacturing, launch and reuse<\/div>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff; margin: 0; border-spacing: 0;\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #3b74bf; color: #ffffff;\">\n<th style=\"width: 14%; padding: 12px 10px; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 600; text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #ffffff; border-bottom: 1px solid #0b3c85;\">Stage<\/th>\n<th style=\"width: 28%; padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 600; text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #ffffff; border-bottom: 1px solid #0b3c85;\">Area Affected<\/th>\n<th style=\"width: 58%; padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 600; text-align: center; border-bottom: 1px solid #0b3c85;\">Key Considerations<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #edf2f7;\">\n<td style=\"font-weight: bold; color: #ffffff; text-align: center; padding: 12px 10px; font-size: 15px; background-color: #258b9b; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">1<\/td>\n<td style=\"font-weight: 600; color: #1a202c; padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Propellant Properties<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; color: #2c3e50; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Density, temperature, cooling requirements and combustion characteristics<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f8fafc;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 4px; font-size: 22px; line-height: 1; color: #7aa5b4; text-align: center; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\" colspan=\"3\">\u2193<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #edf2f7;\">\n<td style=\"font-weight: bold; color: #ffffff; text-align: center; padding: 12px 10px; font-size: 15px; background-color: #357fbd; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">2<\/td>\n<td style=\"font-weight: 600; color: #1a202c; padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Tanks and Airframe<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; color: #2c3e50; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Volume, length, structural mass and aerodynamic profile<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f8fafc;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 4px; font-size: 22px; line-height: 1; color: #7aa5b4; text-align: center; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\" colspan=\"3\">\u2193<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #edf2f7;\">\n<td style=\"font-weight: bold; color: #ffffff; text-align: center; padding: 12px 10px; font-size: 15px; background-color: #7655ad; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">3<\/td>\n<td style=\"font-weight: 600; color: #1a202c; padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Engine<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; color: #2c3e50; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Turbopumps, injection, cooling, ignition and throttling<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f8fafc;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 4px; font-size: 22px; line-height: 1; color: #7aa5b4; text-align: center; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\" colspan=\"3\">\u2193<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #edf2f7;\">\n<td style=\"font-weight: bold; color: #ffffff; text-align: center; padding: 12px 10px; font-size: 15px; background-color: #b75d6b; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">4<\/td>\n<td style=\"font-weight: 600; color: #1a202c; padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Return and Landing Control<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; color: #2c3e50; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Multiple restarts, propellant management and landing thrust<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f8fafc;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 4px; font-size: 22px; line-height: 1; color: #7aa5b4; text-align: center; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\" colspan=\"3\">\u2193<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #edf2f7;\">\n<td style=\"font-weight: bold; color: #ffffff; text-align: center; padding: 12px 10px; font-size: 15px; background-color: #c8871c; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">5<\/td>\n<td style=\"font-weight: 600; color: #1a202c; padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Ground Operations<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; color: #2c3e50; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Storage and transport, fueling, purging, safety and launch-pad operations<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f8fafc;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 4px; font-size: 22px; line-height: 1; color: #7aa5b4; text-align: center; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\" colspan=\"3\">\u2193<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #edf2f7;\">\n<td style=\"font-weight: bold; color: #ffffff; text-align: center; padding: 12px 10px; font-size: 15px; background-color: #338b62; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">6<\/td>\n<td style=\"font-weight: 600; color: #1a202c; padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Reuse Operations<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; color: #2c3e50;\">Inspection, cleaning, service life, turnaround time and cost<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f1f5f9; padding: 12px 16px; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 600; color: #174f75; line-height: 1.5; text-align: center; border-top: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Engine selection is an outcome of the overall vehicle design\u2014not a standalone choice based solely on propellant.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>Source: Analysis created by the author based on publicly available information.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>3. Viewed in the Context of PALLAS-1, the Value of Kerosene Becomes Clear<\/h2>\n<p>Galactic Energy has not published a complete report detailing its propellant trade study, so outside observers cannot provide a single definitive explanation on the company\u2019s behalf. Nevertheless, the engineering logic behind the choice can be inferred from the publicly disclosed vehicle dimensions, engine configuration and mission positioning.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The first consideration is vehicle volume.<\/strong> PALLAS-1 has a core-stage diameter of 3.35 meters, yet must accommodate the propellant and systems required for a rocket with a liftoff mass of several hundred tonnes. A higher bulk propellant density helps control tank length, wetted surface area and structural mass growth within a fixed vehicle diameter.<\/p>\n<p>This should not be interpreted as meaning that kerosene necessarily makes the rocket lighter. The final result also depends on intertank sections, common bulkheads, materials, pressurization and engine design. Nevertheless, kerosene does give the overall vehicle design more favorable volumetric conditions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The second consideration is the thrust profile required by the first stage.<\/strong> The first stage must operate near sea level, lift a 283-tonne-class rocket off the ground and propel it through the dense lower atmosphere. A seven-engine cluster provides greater design flexibility for liftoff thrust allocation, thrust-vector control and engine-out redundancy.<\/p>\n<p>Combined with the CQ-50\u2019s deep-throttling and multiple-restart capabilities, the configuration also provides a propulsion foundation for future return burns and landing control.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A further consideration is the engineering schedule and operational infrastructure.<\/strong> Kerosene does not need to be maintained at cryogenic temperatures, although the rocket as a whole still requires a cryogenic liquid oxygen system. Given China\u2019s existing liquid oxygen\/kerosene engineering base, the program can draw on more accumulated experience in propellant supply, fueling procedures, sealing materials, purging and safety protocols.<\/p>\n<p>This is a system-level engineering assessment, not a publicly stated conclusion from the vehicle\u2019s developer. The rocket\u2019s ultimate cost will still depend on its design, testing, manufacturing, payload capacity, production rate and launch frequency. Propellant is only one part of that equation.<\/p>\n<h2>4. If Kerosene Causes Coking, How Can It Still Be Used in a Reusable Engine?<\/h2>\n<p>The answer lies in engine design. The properties of a fuel can make reuse more difficult, but they do not determine on their own whether an engine can be reused. Engineers must address multiple factors simultaneously, including restart capability, thrust modulation, thermal-structural life, turbopump and valve life, seal reliability, condition monitoring and maintenance accessibility.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-89139\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/The-50-tonne-class-CQ-liquid-oxygen-kerosene-engine-during-final-assembly.-Image-source-Galactic-Energy-December-3-2021.webp\" alt=\"The 50-tonne-class CQ liquid oxygen\/kerosene engine during final assembly. Image source: Galactic Energy, December 3, 2021. This image shows an engine from the development phase and does not necessarily depict the Y1 flight hardware.\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1439\" srcset=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/The-50-tonne-class-CQ-liquid-oxygen-kerosene-engine-during-final-assembly.-Image-source-Galactic-Energy-December-3-2021.webp 1080w, \/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/The-50-tonne-class-CQ-liquid-oxygen-kerosene-engine-during-final-assembly.-Image-source-Galactic-Energy-December-3-2021-225x300.webp 225w, \/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/The-50-tonne-class-CQ-liquid-oxygen-kerosene-engine-during-final-assembly.-Image-source-Galactic-Energy-December-3-2021-769x1024.webp 769w, \/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/The-50-tonne-class-CQ-liquid-oxygen-kerosene-engine-during-final-assembly.-Image-source-Galactic-Energy-December-3-2021-768x1023.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>The 50-tonne-class CQ liquid oxygen\/kerosene engine during final assembly. Image source: Galactic Energy, December 3, 2021. This image shows an engine from the development phase and does not necessarily depict the Y1 flight hardware.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>According to information published by Beijing E-Town, the CQ-50 uses a pintle injector, has demonstrated a thrust-regulation range of 32% to 105%, and is capable of multiple starts. Deep throttling allows the engine to reduce terminal-phase thrust to a level suitable for landing control, while multiple-start capability supports reentry braking and landing burns.<\/p>\n<p>A pintle injector can operate across a broad range of conditions. At low thrust, however, the feed system, turbopump and combustion stability must still undergo comprehensive validation.[3][5]<\/p>\n<p>The seven-engine cluster also provides scope for propulsion redundancy. Galactic Energy has said that the design incorporates mission-continuation capability following the failure of a single engine. The successful operation of all seven engines during the Y1 maiden flight provides important full-system flight data. It does not, however, mean that an engine-out scenario\u2014in which one engine is shut down in flight and the remaining six complete the mission\u2014has been demonstrated in an actual flight.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-89140\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/The-PALLAS-1-first-stage-positioned-on-an-offshore-test-platform.-Image-source-Galactic-Energy-November-19-2025.-This-was-a-ground-propulsion-system-firing-test-not-an-offshore-recovery-test.webp\" alt=\"The PALLAS-1 first stage positioned on an offshore test platform. Image source Galactic Energy, November 19, 2025. This was a ground propulsion-system firing test, not an offshore recovery test.\" width=\"1080\" height=\"607\" srcset=\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/The-PALLAS-1-first-stage-positioned-on-an-offshore-test-platform.-Image-source-Galactic-Energy-November-19-2025.-This-was-a-ground-propulsion-system-firing-test-not-an-offshore-recovery-test.webp 1080w, \/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/The-PALLAS-1-first-stage-positioned-on-an-offshore-test-platform.-Image-source-Galactic-Energy-November-19-2025.-This-was-a-ground-propulsion-system-firing-test-not-an-offshore-recovery-test-300x169.webp 300w, \/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/The-PALLAS-1-first-stage-positioned-on-an-offshore-test-platform.-Image-source-Galactic-Energy-November-19-2025.-This-was-a-ground-propulsion-system-firing-test-not-an-offshore-recovery-test-1024x576.webp 1024w, \/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/The-PALLAS-1-first-stage-positioned-on-an-offshore-test-platform.-Image-source-Galactic-Energy-November-19-2025.-This-was-a-ground-propulsion-system-firing-test-not-an-offshore-recovery-test-768x432.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>The PALLAS-1 first stage positioned on an offshore test platform. Image source: Galactic Energy, November 19, 2025. This was a ground propulsion-system firing test, not an offshore recovery test.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The principal difficulties associated with kerosene arise in the engine\u2019s hot section and cooling channels. When kerosene passes through high-temperature regenerative cooling channels, it may undergo thermal cracking and form coke. Combustion can also produce deposits.<\/p>\n<p>The extent of these deposits depends on the fuel composition, wall temperature, residence time, cooling-channel design, mixing and combustion conditions. A single fixed cleaning interval therefore cannot be applied to every liquid oxygen\/kerosene engine.<\/p>\n<p>After recovery, engineers must assess flight telemetry and conduct borescope inspections, leak checks, performance tests, and any necessary cleaning and maintenance. These procedures help determine whether the thrust chamber, turbopump, valves and seals can safely be used again.<\/p>\n<p>Research in China on reusable liquid oxygen\/kerosene engines has advanced beyond simply demonstrating repeated ignition. It now covers post-recovery processing, condition inspection, life assessment, maintenance accessibility and maintenance economics.[6]<\/p>\n<h2>5. If Liquid Oxygen\/Methane Is Cleaner, Why Not Simply Switch?<\/h2>\n<p>Because changing the fuel is almost equivalent to redesigning the propulsion and ground-support systems. The injector, turbopump, seals, ignition system, cooling system, mixture ratio, tanks, pressurization and feed systems, fueling equipment, and safety procedures must all be adapted to the new propellant\u2019s physical properties.<\/p>\n<p>A rocket cannot simply have its fuel tank cleaned, filled with a different fuel and then be launched.<\/p>\n<p>Methane\u2019s lower tendency to form coke makes it attractive for reducing maintenance complexity. Nevertheless, a methane engine still undergoes repeated cycles of high temperature, high pressure, cryogenic chill-down and ignition shock. Its turbopumps, combustion chambers, valves, welds and seals will still accumulate damage and consume operational life.<\/p>\n<p>The cryogenic storage and transportation of liquid methane, boil-off management and onboard propellant management also introduce new design challenges.<\/p>\n<p>If a kerosene engine must undergo extensive disassembly, cleaning and component replacement after every recovery, the reduction in manufacturing amortization could be offset by maintenance costs and turnaround time. The two propellant routes must ultimately be compared on the basis of complete launch-vehicle performance under equivalent missions: payload capacity, reliability, reflight labor hours and cost per unit of payload.<\/p>\n<p>Falcon 9 has already demonstrated that liquid oxygen\/kerosene can support first-stage recovery and multiple reflights by an orbital-class rocket. A new generation of liquid oxygen\/methane rockets aims to translate cleaner combustion into simpler or shorter inspection and maintenance processes. The operational differences between the two approaches must still be established through sustained flight data.[10]<\/p>\n<p><strong>Table 3.<\/strong> The evidence chain from PALLAS-1\u2019s first orbital flight to commercial reuse<\/p>\n<div style=\"max-width: 800px; margin: 24px auto; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; border: 1px solid #3b74bf; border-radius: 8px; overflow: hidden; box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #0b3c85; color: #ffffff; font-size: 20px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; padding: 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #3b74bf;\">PALLAS-1: How Far Has It Progressed?<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #174f75; color: #e2e8f0; font-size: 15px; text-align: center; padding: 10px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid #3b74bf;\">Design capability, flight results and commercial reuse should be assessed separately<\/div>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff; margin: 0; border-spacing: 0;\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #3b74bf; color: #ffffff;\">\n<th style=\"width: 20%; padding: 12px 10px; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 600; text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #ffffff; border-bottom: 1px solid #0b3c85;\">Status<\/th>\n<th style=\"width: 30%; padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 600; text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #ffffff; border-bottom: 1px solid #0b3c85;\">Milestone<\/th>\n<th style=\"width: 50%; padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 600; text-align: center; border-bottom: 1px solid #0b3c85;\">Details<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #edf2f7;\">\n<td style=\"font-weight: bold; color: #ffffff; text-align: center; padding: 12px 10px; font-size: 15px; background-color: #338b62; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Completed<\/td>\n<td style=\"font-weight: 600; color: #1a202c; padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">First Orbital Flight<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; color: #2c3e50; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">On Sept. 1, 2026, the launch vehicle entered its planned orbit<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f8fafc;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 4px; font-size: 22px; line-height: 1; color: #7aa5b4; text-align: center; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\" colspan=\"3\">\u2193<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #edf2f7;\">\n<td style=\"font-weight: bold; color: #ffffff; text-align: center; padding: 12px 10px; font-size: 15px; background-color: #357fbd; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Design Configuration<\/td>\n<td style=\"font-weight: 600; color: #1a202c; padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Seven Welkin-50 Engines<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; color: #2c3e50; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">LOX\/kerosene propulsion; publicly described as supporting deep throttling and multiple restarts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f8fafc;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 4px; font-size: 22px; line-height: 1; color: #7aa5b4; text-align: center; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\" colspan=\"3\">\u2193<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #edf2f7;\">\n<td style=\"font-weight: bold; color: #ffffff; text-align: center; padding: 12px 10px; font-size: 15px; background-color: #d58b21; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Next Milestone<\/td>\n<td style=\"font-weight: 600; color: #1a202c; padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Full First-Stage Recovery<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; color: #2c3e50; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Complete the closed loop of reentry, grid-fin guidance, braking and landing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f8fafc;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 4px; font-size: 22px; line-height: 1; color: #7aa5b4; text-align: center; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\" colspan=\"3\">\u2193<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #edf2f7;\">\n<td style=\"font-weight: bold; color: #ffffff; text-align: center; padding: 12px 10px; font-size: 15px; background-color: #b75d6b; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Following Milestone<\/td>\n<td style=\"font-weight: 600; color: #1a202c; padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Reflight of the Same First Stage<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; color: #2c3e50; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Complete inspection, maintenance and service-life assessment before flight acceptance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f8fafc;\">\n<td style=\"padding: 4px; font-size: 22px; line-height: 1; color: #7aa5b4; text-align: center; border-bottom: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\" colspan=\"3\">\u2193<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #edf2f7;\">\n<td style=\"font-weight: bold; color: #ffffff; text-align: center; padding: 12px 10px; font-size: 15px; background-color: #7655ad; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Operational Goal<\/td>\n<td style=\"font-weight: 600; color: #1a202c; padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; border-right: 1px solid #cbd5e1;\">Repeated Reuse and Rapid Turnaround<\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px 14px; font-size: 15px; color: #2c3e50;\">Being designed for 25 reuses does not mean that 25 reflights have already been completed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div style=\"background-color: #0b3c85; padding: 12px 16px; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; color: #ffffff; line-height: 1.5; text-align: center;\">The maiden flight answers whether PALLAS-1 can reach orbit; reflights will determine whether it is truly reusable.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>Source: Analysis created by the author based on publicly available information.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>6. What Should We Watch to Determine Whether PALLAS-1 Chose the Right Path?<\/h2>\n<p>The first piece of evidence will be <strong>complete recovery<\/strong>. The first stage must demonstrate attitude control, reentry, propellant settling, engine restart, deep throttling and precision landing\u2014not merely the successful ground testing of individual subsystems.<\/p>\n<p>The second will be <strong>the condition of the engines after recovery<\/strong>. Where have kerosene deposits formed? How extensively must the engines be disassembled? Which components must be replaced? How many actual labor hours are required for inspection and cleaning?<\/p>\n<p>Answers to these questions will reveal more about operational capability than a stated design goal of 25 reuses. For now, 25 is a design target, not a number of flights already completed.[7]<\/p>\n<p>The third will be <strong>the reflight of the same first stage<\/strong>. Recovery proves that a stage can return. Reflight demonstrates that inspection, maintenance, life assessment and flight recertification have formed a complete operational loop. Reliability and turnaround time must then be observed across multiple first stages and multiple mission cycles.<\/p>\n<p>Only after that comes the commercial outcome. Return propellant and recovery hardware reduce payload capacity. Offshore or land-based recovery requires infrastructure, while engine maintenance requires personnel and equipment. A reusable liquid oxygen\/kerosene rocket will complete its economic validation only when the savings from amortizing manufacturing costs exceed the costs of lost payload capacity, recovery and refurbishment.<\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion: This Is Not Simply a Choice Between Fuels<\/h2>\n<p>The successful maiden flight of PALLAS-1 Y1 first demonstrates that Galactic Energy has taken seven liquid oxygen\/kerosene engines, a 283-tonne-class vehicle and a complete flight-control system through an actual flight.<\/p>\n<p>For a commercial space company that previously built its launch record with small solid-fuel rockets, that achievement carries weight in its own right.<\/p>\n<p>Whether liquid oxygen\/kerosene was the correct choice cannot be decided on the day of the maiden flight. High volumetric efficiency, an established operational foundation and the seven-engine cluster helped the rocket cross the first threshold by reaching orbit. Coking, inspection, cleaning and life-cycle management will present their bill during the recovery and reflight phases.<\/p>\n<p>The next milestone worth watching is therefore not simply how many more satellites PALLAS-1 can send into orbit. The more consequential questions are how much work its engines require after the first stage returns, and how quickly that stage can be placed back on the launch pad.<\/p>\n<p>Only when the same first stage flies again will the program produce its first genuinely verifiable answer to the engineering trade-off behind its choice of propellant.<\/p>\n<h2>References<\/h2>\n<p>[1] China National Space Administration: \u201cPALLAS-1 Y1 Carrier Rocket Successfully Launched,\u201d September 1, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>[2] Galactic Energy: \u201cPALLAS-1 Y1 Carrier Rocket Successfully Completes Maiden Orbital Flight, Opening a New Chapter for Galactic Energy\u2019s Dual Solid-Liquid Development Strategy,\u201d September 2, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>[3] Beijing International Science and Technology Innovation Center, citing Beijing E-Town: \u201cNew Breakthrough in Reusable Rockets: Beijing E-Town Company Develops a Low-Cost \u2018Space Express\u2019,\u201d September 1, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>[4] Tan Yonghua: \u201cResearch Progress on High-Thrust Liquid Oxygen\/Methane Rocket Engine Technology,\u201d <em>Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica<\/em>, Vol. 45, No. 11, 2024, DOI: 10.7527\/S1000-6893.2024.29690.<\/p>\n<p>[5] Song Zhengyu, Huang Bing, Wang Xiaowei et al.: \u201cDevelopment and Key Technologies of Reusable Space Transportation Vehicles,\u201d <em>Science and Technology Foresight<\/em>, Vol. 1, No. 1, 2022, pp. 62\u201374, DOI: 10.3981\/j.issn.2097-0781.2022.01.006.<\/p>\n<p>[6] Yang Yongqiang, He Jiang, L\u00fc Fazheng et al.: \u201cAnalysis of Maintenance and Repair Technologies for a 130-Tonne-Class Reusable Liquid Oxygen\/Kerosene Engine,\u201d <em>Manned Spaceflight<\/em>, No. 1, 2025.<\/p>\n<p>[7] Galactic Energy: PALLAS-1 product information, accessed September 2, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>[8] Galactic Energy: \u201cGalactic Energy Completes Final Assembly of Its First 50-Tonne-Class CQ Liquid Oxygen\/Kerosene Engine, with Full-System Hot-Fire Test to Follow,\u201d December 3, 2021.<\/p>\n<p>[9] Galactic Energy: \u201cOffshore Hot-Fire Test of the PALLAS-1 Reusable Launch Vehicle\u2019s First-Stage Propulsion System Successfully Completed,\u201d November 19, 2025.<\/p>\n<p>[10] SpaceX: Falcon 9 product page and <em>Falcon Payload User\u2019s Guide<\/em>, accessed September 2, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> This article is based on information that could be publicly verified as of September 2, 2026. Galactic Energy has not disclosed the complete internal trade study behind PALLAS-1\u2019s propellant selection. The relevant analysis in this article is therefore based on the vehicle\u2019s publicly disclosed configuration and general principles of launch-vehicle engineering. A \u201cdesign reuse life\u201d or \u201crecovery capability\u201d does not mean that recovery or reflight has already been completed. The vehicle\u2019s specific status remains subject to subsequent formal disclosures by the relevant authorities and its developer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On the morning of September 1, PALLAS-1 Y1 lifted off from Jiuquan and successfully entered its planned orbit. For Galactic Energy, the mission marked not only the debut of a new launch vehicle, but also the company\u2019s transition from small solid-fuel rockets to a medium-lift liquid-fuel rocket. The rocket also embodies a choice that is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":89141,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[135,5786,10286,2009,310,10306,8082,238,6162],"class_list":["post-89137","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-china","tag-commercial-spaceflight","tag-cq-50","tag-galactic-energy","tag-launch-vehicles","tag-liquid-rocket-engines","tag-pallas-1","tag-reusable-rockets","tag-rocket-propulsion"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89137"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=89137"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89137\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":89142,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89137\/revisions\/89142"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/89141"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=89137"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=89137"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=89137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}