China achieves rocket fuel breakthrough with LNG-derived methane

China has achieved a milestone in its commercial space programme by using high-purity methane fuel derived from liquefied natural gas (LNG) for the first time in the Long March-10B rocket, marking a major step toward diversifying rocket propellant sources.

The breakthrough came during the rocket's successful maiden flight and sea-based recovery test on Friday. The two-stage reusable Long March-10B was developed for China's commercial space market and features a 5-metre-diameter core stage with all critical components produced domestically.

According to fuel developer Sinopec, the rocket used liquid oxygen-methane propellant with methane purity reaching 98.7 percent, while the entire fuel supply chain was sourced within China.

Cao Lizhao, manager of Sinopec's South China sales centre, said the high-purity methane fuel was refined from more than 1,000 tonnes of LNG and can be produced using civilian LNG supplies. He said the fuel cuts storage and transportation costs by about 40 percent compared with conventional liquid hydrogen, making it a more economical option for frequent commercial launches.

As China's commercial space sector expands, traditional fuels such as liquid oxygen-kerosene and liquid oxygen-liquid hydrogen are becoming less suitable for low-cost, high-frequency missions.

Sinopec official Ding Dapeng said the successful use of LNG-derived methane fuel establishes a more diversified and secure propellant supply system, while providing a cost-effective, low-carbon solution that will strengthen the competitiveness and self-reliance of China's commercial space industry.

China launched the Long March-10B from the Hainan Commercial Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan Province on Friday, successfully placing its payload into the planned orbit.