Cosmoleap Raises $73M for Reusable Rocket Technology

Chinese aerospace innovator Cosmoleap has successfully closed a substantial funding round, securing 500 million Yuan (approximately $73.1 million USD). This significant capital infusion is earmarked to propel the development of its novel reusable rocket technology, positioning the company as a key player in China's rapidly expanding commercial space sector. The investment was co-led by prominent venture capital firms Qianhai Ark and Puhua Capital, with active participation from Lingge Capital, Haiying Capital, Huifengda, Junchuan Capital, Chongqing Shadao Technology, Zhongke Technology, Yuanchuang Resources, and Hanli Capital. Huaxing Capital provided advisory services for the transaction.

Founded in early 2024, Cosmoleap distinguishes itself with its ambitious approach to rocket recovery. The company is pioneering a 'tower-catch' system for reusable launch vehicles, a sophisticated method that utilizes mechanical arms to capture descending rocket stages. This technique, reminiscent of systems employed by global leaders like SpaceX, aims to significantly reduce operational costs and increase launch cadence. The company's founder, Shen Guangxu, brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, lending considerable technical credibility to the venture.

The newly acquired funds will be instrumental in completing the assembly of the first flight-ready Leap-1A launch vehicle, slated for the latter half of 2026. This impressive rocket stands 70 meters tall, measures 4.2 meters in diameter, and boasts a launch mass of approximately 554,000 kilograms. It is designed to operate on liquid methane and liquid oxygen propellants. The first stage is powered by nine YF-209 engines, collectively generating around 720 tons of thrust, while the second stage features a single, vacuum-optimized YF-209 engine.

Cosmoleap's Leap-1A is engineered for substantial payload delivery. In its expendable configuration, it can carry up to 18,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit. When operating in its reusable mode, the payload capacity is rated at 12,000 kilograms. A core innovation of the first stage booster is its design for up to 20 flights, facilitated by the downrange catch towers. By foregoing traditional landing legs, Cosmoleap anticipates a reduction in weight and operational expenses by approximately 10%, a critical advantage in the competitive launch services market.

Further investment will also support the in-house development of Cosmoleap's proprietary Qingyu-11 engine. This liquid methane/liquid oxygen engine is designed to produce roughly 150 tons of thrust, classifying it as a 100-ton class engine. It boasts a specific impulse of up to 350 seconds and is engineered for multiple ignitions per flight – for liftoff, reentry, and recovery – with a projected service life of 50 uses per engine unit. This engine's reliability and performance are crucial for the economic viability of the reusable system.

The company targets its first orbital flight for the Leap-1A in 2027. This ambitious timeline underscores the accelerating pace of innovation within China's private space industry. The successful deployment of its tower-catch system is projected to enhance payload capacity by an estimated 5,000 kilograms compared to rockets utilizing landing legs, offering a compelling economic proposition for commercial satellite deployment. This latest funding round follows an earlier 100 million Yuan ($14.6 million USD) investment in November 2024, signaling sustained investor confidence in Cosmoleap's vision for cost-effective space access.