China pulled ahead in the space exploration race by reaching orbit with a methalox rocket first.
The fuel, based on methane, is coveted by companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin.
SpaceX's own methalox-fueled rocket Starship exploded before reaching this milestone in April.
Chinese firm LandSpace launched their Zhuque-2 rocket from the Gobi Desert on Tuesday, reaching orbit shortly after.
Meanwhile, the future of New Glenn, Blue Origin's methalox rocket, is uncertain after its BE-4 engine exploded during testing in June, per Space.com.
Persons:
LandSpace, Jonathan McDowell, Relativity, New Glenn, Blue, Jonathan Newton
Organizations:
SpaceX, Service, Privacy, China, US Space Force, Washington, Getty, Reuters
Locations:
China, Wall, Silicon, New, Starbase, Jiuquan, Gansu Province