Nayuta Space, a Chinese commercial launch company, has secured tens of millions of yuan in pre-A round funding. This investment, exclusively from Quanxin Investment, will be used to further develop their Black Bird series of stainless steel rockets. The Black Bird-1, utilizing nine Canglong-1 engines, aims for reusability of both stages.
Unlike the Falcon 9, the Black Bird's first stage will use aerodynamic recovery instead of a reentry burn, saving fuel. The company plans a unique "eagle grab" landing system, similar to a chopstick catch, eliminating the need for landing legs and saving mass. Nayuta Space claims to be the first commercial Chinese company to develop aerodynamic recovery technology.
The company aims for a reusable suborbital rocket launch in 2025 and an orbital flight of Black Bird-1 in 2026. Slides from 2023 indicate a capacity of carrying 10 tons to low Earth orbit when reused. CEO Li Rui highlighted the need to increase China's launch capacity for megaconstellations like Guowang and Thousand Sails, currently reliant on expendable Long March rockets. Nayuta Space aims to provide a more cost-effective and rapid reusable solution.
Nayuta Space and Cosmoleap represent a new wave of Chinese launch companies, embracing global trends in reusable rocket technology. This contrasts with earlier companies focusing on smaller, solid propellant rockets. China's commitment to megaconstellations necessitates advancements in reusable launch vehicles, and companies like Nayuta Space are at the forefront of this development. The Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) also conducted high-altitude tests for the Long March 12A, demonstrating the country's active pursuit of reusable launch capabilities.