Nebula-1

Overview

Two-stage, partially reusable kerosene–liquid oxygen medium-lift rocket with a vertically landing first stage powered by nine Thunder-R engines. The Nebula-1A debut variant adds grid fins and sea-recovery capability for a first-stage splashdown.

First Nebula-1A erected on a new Haiyang sea-recovery pad in March 2026 after second- and first-stage static fires in late 2025; the pad passed an integrated test mission on March 30-31, 2026. The originally targeted mid-2026 debut remains unflown as of 15 September 2026; launch trackers list the first test no earlier than December 2026 and describe the profile as suborbital, with a first-stage recovery attempt still planned.

Key Specs

Payload to LEO

2,000 kg

Height

30.2 m

First-Stage Diameter

3.35 m

First-Stage Engines

9 × Thunder-R (company engine page 283 kN SL each; March 2026 vehicle coverage cited ~22 t each)

Reusable

Yes (first stage)

Propellant

Kerosene / liquid oxygen