Orbital launch vehicle
Pallas-1
Pallas-1 is a 2 stage, semi-reusable launch vehicle built by the Chinese private launch services provider Galactic Energy. Both stages are powered by the gas generator cycle rocket engine Welkin/Cangqiong 50 (CQ-50) using kerosene and liquid oxygen, with 7 engines on the 1st stage and 1 vacuum variant on the 2nd stage. It can launch 7 tonnes to LEO and 3 tonnes to SSO when the 1st stage is recovered downrange.
Pallas-1 is built by Galactic Energy of China. Company background, funding, contracts and news for this operator are tracked on Space Index. It first flew on 1 September 2026.
Flight record
Payload
| Low Earth orbit | 7,000kg |
|---|---|
| Sun-synchronous orbit | 3,000kg |
Vehicle
| Stages | 3 |
|---|---|
| Length | 49.6m |
| Diameter | 3.35m |
| Launch mass | 283t |
| Liftoff thrust | 3,435kN |
| Maiden flight | 2026-09-01 |
| Reusable | Yes |
Pads used
Orbits delivered
Launch history
| Date | Mission | Pad | Orbit | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-01 | Pallas-1 | Demo Flight | Pallas-1 Launch Pad | Sun-Synchronous Orbit | Success |
Specifications from Launch Library 2 by The Space Devs, launch records from Space Index. Derived figures are computed here; see sources and method.
Further reading: Wikipedia
Fewer than three recorded flights, so this page is marked noindex. It is here for completeness, not for search.