StoryHardware
Pallas-1 reaches orbit on maiden flight from Jiuquan, carrying payload to low Earth orbit
Galactic Energy's Pallas-1 rocket completed a successful maiden flight on September 1, 2026, from China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The 42 m tall medium-lift vehicle reached low Earth orbit, proving the viability of its three-stage design and reusable first-stage concept.
- Maiden flight from Jiuquan at 02:00 UTC
- Successfully reached low Earth orbit with boilerplate payload
- Features recoverable first stage with landing legs and grid fins
- 42 m tall, 220,000 kg gross mass, delivers 5,000 kg to 400 km LEO
- Uses seven Welkin engines burning RP-1 and liquid oxygen