Cosmoleap: The Incredible Chinese Project To Compete With Elon Musk's Starship

China, often mocked for its taste for plagiarism, could this time inspire the whole world with a surprising news. Indeed, Cosmoleap, a Chinese start-up, has recently raised 15 million dollars to develop a spacecraft inspired by SpaceX’s Starship. This project embodies a significant ambition: to compete with Elon Musk and the United States in space exploration. Let’s decipher China’s plans, which aims to extend its influence far beyond Earth.

China Goes on the Offensive in Space

China, which could be at war with the USA, does not hide its ambitions in the space domain. With a impressive lunar program, supported by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), it plans to land its first astronauts on the Moon in the next decade, following a plan of automated missions, then crewed ones.

To achieve this feat, the Middle Kingdom knows it has the need for a high-capacity spacecraft, capable of competing with Elon Musk’s Starship, which can carry up to 100 tons of payload.

CASC has a Long March 12B model displayed at Zhuhai Airshow. It looks bigger than 12 and apparently will be reusable. 7 YF-100N? But that will be the same as Long March 10. Or, what's more likely, it's SAST's reusable methane rocket. But the naming is just confusing… https://t.co/RTa9VvU9bl pic.twitter.com/pk3NloQ6lB

— China 'N Asia Spaceflight 🚀𝕏 🛰️ (@CNSpaceflight) November 7, 2024

Thus, Cosmoleap, a young Chinese start-up, raises 15 million dollars to design a rocket inspired by this American model, highlighting SpaceX’s global technological impact.

The development of this “Chinese Starship” responds to several strategic objectives for China, including:

• Establish a permanent foothold on the Moon: CASC’s plans include permanent bases to ensure a sustainable return of crewed missions;
• Prepare for future Mars missions: an announced objective for 2049, on the occasion of the centenary of the People’s Republic;
• Deploy communication satellites massively: the Chinese Starship could also accelerate the deployment of Guowang and G60 mega-constellations;
• Compete with SpaceX: by adopting a reusable rocket model, China seeks to optimize its resources and reduce costs to establish itself as a key player in space.

At a time when the competition for space leadership is fierce, China shows that it is ready to make significant steps towards a permanent presence in space, aiming to match or even surpass American advances.

Elon Musk, Source of Inspiration and Rivalry for China

Elon Musk, who was seen as an eccentric dreamer in 2016 when he presented the concept of the Starship, is now taken seriously by Beijing. Since its introduction, this innovative spacecraft has marked a turning point for SpaceX, whose successes, such as the reusable Falcon 9 rocket and the Starlink mega-constellation, convinced China of the importance of following this path.

The Starship is now a model for the development of Long March 9 rocket, whose design undeniably resembles that of SpaceX, with a reusable first stage and improved performance.

However, China’s interest in Musk’s model is not limited to civil advances. Indeed, the Pentagon itself is considering military applications for the Starship, seeing it as a logistical means capable of resupplying isolated areas. In this perspective, Beijing could draw inspiration from the Starship to serve military objectives or further enhance its capability to massively deploy satellites.

The Long March 9, equipped with YF-215 engines powered by methane and liquid oxygen, thus aims for performance close to that of the Starship, albeit with some technical differences.

In summary, China is adapting its space and military program by drawing inspiration from SpaceX’s advancements, determined not to be left behind. Musk’s dream inspires the global space scene, pushing every player to innovate further.

While the United States uses Artemis missions to prepare for a future Martian colony, China is doubling its efforts to engage in this same dynamic, showcasing fierce technological competition.

Despite current economic challenges, China relentlessly pursues its space ambitions, with an eye on conquering the Moon and eventually Mars. However, the coming months may be eventful for Beijing, due to the new tariffs imposed by Trump which could complicate its expansionist plans.