Cosmoleap Raises $14M for Reusable Rocket with SpaceX-Inspired Landing System

Beijing-based launch company Cosmoleap, formally known as Beijing Dahang Transition Technology Co., Ltd., has announced that it has raised over 100 million yuan (more than $14 million USD) to support the development of its Yueqian reusable rocket and an advanced recovery system modeled after SpaceX's "chopstick" tower landing method.

The funding round attracted prominent investors including Shenergy Chengyi, a state-owned Shanghai enterprise focused on innovative investments, Tiangchuang Capital, which targets emerging technologies, Baiyan Fund, the venture capital firm, K2 Angel Partners, an industrial-focused angel investment group with a history of investments in space companies like Orienspace and Deep Blue Aerospace, as well as private investor Zhang Chao.

Ambitious Plans

Cosmoleap, which first introduced itself to the public in March 2024, has set ambitious goals for its development path.

The company aims to produce a low-cost, high-reliability reusable rocket tailored for satellite constellations—a significant component of China’s megaconstellation strategy to provide global satellite internet services.

The company’s flagship project, the Yueqian rocket (also referred to as “Leap”), is set for a potential test flight as early as 2025 or 2026.

According to the animated video released alongside the funding announcement, Cosmoleap is pursuing a recovery system inspired by SpaceX’s recent innovations with its Starship launch system, specifically its tower-based “chopstick” landing mechanism. Though the Yueqian rocket will be considerably smaller, closer to a Falcon 9 than Starship, its design indicates a push for innovative, efficient reusability.

Yueqian Rocket

The Yueqian rocket, powered by methane, will measure 75 meters in length with a 4.0-meter diameter. It is designed to carry up to 10,460 kilograms to an altitude of 1,000 kilometers when fully expendable. With a reusable first stage, the rocket’s payload capacity reduces to 6,280 kilograms, marking it as a suitable vehicle for mid-range payload missions, particularly satellite deployments.

Larger Rocket Plans

In the longer term, Cosmoleap envisions developing a larger, 126-meter rocket capable of delivering 100 tons to the same orbit in expendable mode or 36 tons when reused. The company has targeted around 2030 for the first launch of this larger rocket, potentially positioning itself as a key player in high-capacity, reusable launch services.

Growing Commercial Space Sector in China

The Chinese government has increasingly prioritized commercial space as a strategic sector, recognizing it as a driving force for economic and technological development. Provinces and cities across the country are developing initiatives to attract and nurture space-related businesses, leading to the formation of clusters and encouraging private sector competition.

Cosmoleap is entering an already competitive field that includes established commercial launch companies like Landspace, Galactic Energy, Space Pioneer, iSpace, and Deep Blue Aerospace, along with state-backed ventures CAS Space and Expace. In addition, China’s space authority, CASC, is advancing its reusable Long March rockets, further raising the stakes in the domestic space sector.

Cosmoleap’s investors expressed confidence in the firm’s ability to leverage the “latecomer advantage,” noting that Cosmoleap can benefit from an already mature commercial space supply chain developed between 2015 and 2030. By building on the experiences and groundwork laid by earlier private Chinese companies, Cosmoleap has the opportunity to optimize its operations and technology in a way that more established competitors might not.

Presentation at International Astronautical Congress

Cosmoleap recently presented at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan, Italy, where it highlighted its vision for the Yueqian rocket.

The presentation abstract noted, "following three years of detailed design and extensive ground testing,” the company plans for a first launch in 2025; suggesting that much of the foundational work may have preceded the company’s public debut earlier this year.

As Cosmoleap prepares for its initial test flights and seeks to solidify its presence within China’s rapidly growing commercial space industry, its successes and challenges will serve as key indicators of the viability of new, competitive players in the market for reusable rockets.