Hyperbola-3
Overview
Two-stage, partially reusable methane-liquid oxygen rocket with a sea-recoverable first stage - iSpace's Falcon 9-class vehicle aimed at low-cost, high-cadence launch for satellite constellations.
JD-2 engines and both stages were qualified for flight by April 2026, with a pathfinder delivered to Wenchang. By mid-2026 the first-stage sea-recovery landing system had completed full-profile ground verification (a flight-weight drop-and-shock test), and in June 2026 the Qinglan recovery drone ship completed offshore sea trials with the pathfinder, holding stability in 4 m waves. On August 14, 2026 the 5.2 m payload fairing passed its final static-load test, leaving the vehicle in flight-ready condition. A first orbital flight from Wenchang LC-2 with a sea-recovery attempt remains targeted for around December 2026, backed by fresh Series E capital closed in August 2026.