Deep Blue Aerospace has completed the production of a 5-meter diameter fuel tank for its Nebula-2 rocket. This stainless steel component is among the largest ever built by a private Chinese space firm. The rocket is designed for commercial launches, capable of delivering up to 25 tons of payload to low Earth orbit.
The first stage of the Nebula-2 will feature 11 Thunder-RS engines generating a total liftoff thrust of 12,446 kN, while the second stage will use a single vacuum-optimized engine. The vehicle is engineered for more than 20 reuses. The company aims to capture both domestic and international market demand for satellite constellation deployment.
The design incorporates a recovery system similar to the SpaceX Mechazilla, utilizing mechanical arms to catch the first stage at the launch site. This method eliminates the need for landing legs. While the tank is finished, the company has not yet announced a timeline for the first full-scale launch or the demonstration of the stage recovery system.
Testing for the second-stage propulsion system is scheduled to take place before the end of the year. Deep Blue Aerospace faces significant competition from other private Chinese firms such as LandSpace, Space Pioneer, i-Space, and Galactic Energy, all of which are vying for contracts related to national satellite projects like Guowang and Qianfan.
