SourceIT之家•Stalecollected in 25m
U-Space secures 1 billion RMB for AS-1 rocket development
New funding for reusable rockets could significantly lower the cost of launching AI-heavy satellite constellations.
30-Second TL;DR
What Changed
Raised 1 billion RMB total to fund rocket assembly, testing, and recovery technology.
Why It Matters
The development of low-cost, reusable heavy-lift launch vehicles is critical for the future of large-scale AI data center deployments in space or global satellite-based AI infrastructure.
What To Do Next
Track the progress of reusable liquid methane rocket startups as they lower the cost of orbital payload delivery for AI-enabled satellite constellations.
Who should care:Developers & AI Engineers
Key Points
- •Raised 1 billion RMB total to fund rocket assembly, testing, and recovery technology.
- •AS-1 rocket features stainless steel structure and liquid oxygen/methane propulsion.
- •Plans to produce three rockets in 2026 to support a 2027 first flight target.
Deep Insight
Background and context from public sources — not the original article. 3 sources cited.
Enhanced Key Takeaways
- •U-Space, officially Beijing Yushi Space Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd., secured its cumulative 1 billion RMB funding through five rounds within 15 months of its establishment, with the latest Series A round on May 18, 2026, contributing 500 million yuan.
- •The AS-1 rocket is specified to be approximately 70 meters long, with a take-off weight of 570 tons, and a body diameter of 4.2 meters. It boasts a one-time Low Earth Orbit (LEO) payload capacity of 15.7 tons, which reduces to 10 tons under reusable conditions.
- •The company's 'stainless steel + chopstick recovery' design offers significant cost advantages, with the stainless steel rocket body costing only one-tenth of traditional aluminum alloy bodies, while also achieving several times higher production efficiency, allowing for rocket body delivery in as fast as one month.
- •Funds from the latest financing round are earmarked for critical development phases, including ground joint tests of the full-scale capture arm prototype, assembly and testing of the maiden flight rocket's first stage, static ignition tests, and full rocket assembly and testing.
- •U-Space's technical leadership includes CTO Tian Jichao, a doctor in aircraft design who previously worked on China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation's CZ-8 and CZ-2C liquid rockets and was involved in early Chinese projects for recovery landing point control and grid fin-based sub-stage recovery flight tests.
Competitor Analysis
Propellant
- U-Space (Yushi Space) AS-1
- Liquid Oxygen / Methane
- Landspace Zhuque-3
- Liquid Oxygen / Methane
Structure Material
- U-Space (Yushi Space) AS-1
- Stainless Steel
- Landspace Zhuque-3
- Stainless Steel
Reusability Method
- U-Space (Yushi Space) AS-1
- 'Chopstick capture arm recovery'
- Landspace Zhuque-3
- Reusable first stage, powered descent and landing (demonstrated hops)
LEO Payload (Reusable)
- U-Space (Yushi Space) AS-1
- 10 tons
- Landspace Zhuque-3
- 18.3 tons (40,350 pounds)
First Flight Target
- U-Space (Yushi Space) AS-1
- First half of 2027
- Landspace Zhuque-3
- Q4 2025 (orbital launch achieved Dec 2025)
Status
- U-Space (Yushi Space) AS-1
- Assembly, testing, and recovery technology verification underway; 3 rockets planned for production in 2026
- Landspace Zhuque-3
- Successfully launched into orbit (Dec 2025); conducted launch and landing tests, 45-second hot fire test of first stage
| Feature/Company | U-Space (Yushi Space) AS-1 | Landspace Zhuque-3 |
|---|---|---|
| Propellant | Liquid Oxygen / Methane | Liquid Oxygen / Methane |
| Structure Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Reusability Method | 'Chopstick capture arm recovery' | Reusable first stage, powered descent and landing (demonstrated hops) |
| LEO Payload (Reusable) | 10 tons | 18.3 tons (40,350 pounds) |
| First Flight Target | First half of 2027 | Q4 2025 (orbital launch achieved Dec 2025) |
| Status | Assembly, testing, and recovery technology verification underway; 3 rockets planned for production in 2026 | Successfully launched into orbit (Dec 2025); conducted launch and landing tests, 45-second hot fire test of first stage |
Technical Deep Dive
- Rocket Dimensions: Approximately 70 meters long, 4.2 meters in diameter.
- Take-off Weight: 570 tons.
- Propulsion: Liquid oxygen and methane.
- Structural Material: Stainless steel, chosen for its cost-effectiveness (one-tenth the cost of traditional aluminum alloy) and rapid production (rocket body delivery in as fast as one month).
- Payload Capacity (LEO): 15.7 tons for expendable missions, 10 tons for reusable missions.
- Recovery System: Unique 'chopsticks capture arm recovery' technology, which is currently undergoing ground joint tests of a full-scale prototype.
- Engineering Expertise: The technical team includes individuals with experience from major Chinese aerospace programs, such as the CZ-8 and CZ-2C liquid rockets, and early work on recovery landing point control and grid fin flight tests.
Future ImplicationsAI analysis grounded in cited sources
U-Space's rapid development and unique recovery approach could significantly disrupt the commercial launch market.
The combination of low-cost stainless steel manufacturing and the 'chopstick recovery' method, if successful, promises to drastically reduce launch costs and turnaround times, potentially setting a new standard for reusability beyond traditional landing legs.
The success of AS-1 will intensify competition within China's private space sector, particularly in the reusable methane rocket segment.
With companies like Landspace already achieving orbital launches with methane rockets and developing stainless steel reusable designs, U-Space's entry with a similar yet distinct approach will foster innovation and accelerate the maturity of China's commercial space capabilities.
China's commercial space industry is poised for accelerated growth and increased global competitiveness in launch services.
The substantial private investment in U-Space, coupled with its aggressive development timeline and focus on advanced reusable technologies, indicates a strong national push to establish a robust and cost-effective commercial launch infrastructure.
Timeline
2025-02
U-Space (Yushi Space) established (inferred from 5 funding rounds in 15 months leading to May 2026).
2026-05-18
U-Space announced completion of a Series A financing round of 500 million RMB, bringing total cumulative funding to 1 billion RMB.
- 2025-02U-Space (Yushi Space) established (inferred from 5 funding rounds in 15 months leading to May 2026).
- 2026-05-18U-Space announced completion of a Series A financing round of 500 million RMB, bringing total cumulative funding to 1 billion RMB.
Sources (3)
Factual claims are grounded in the sources below. Forward-looking analysis is AI-generated interpretation.
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