jacky tsai illustrates world’s first fully art-painted rocket launched into space

First Fully Artist-Painted Rocket Successfully Launched Into Orbit

A collaborative project between contemporary artist Jacky Tsai and Chinese aerospace company LandSpace has resulted in the successful launch of the world’s first fully art-painted orbital rocket. The Zhuque-2 Enhanced (ZQ-2E Y2), measuring nearly 50 meters in height, was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China and crossed the Kármán line, officially entering outer space.

This marks the first instance of a complete rocket body being treated as a unified visual artwork and deployed in a successful space mission. The design, themed around the Chinese legend ‘Chang’e Flying to the Moon,’ features continuous painted compositions depicting Chang’e, the moon palace, and celestial figures. These elements were executed using aerospace-grade paints and techniques, developed in close coordination between the artist and engineering teams. Jacky Tsai reimagined the myth through bold visual language and vibrant colors, blending Eastern narrative with contemporary aesthetics.

all images courtesy of Jacky Tsai

Jacky Tsai applies aerospace-grade paint across the entire rocket

Unlike prior examples of decorative treatments or mission insignia applied to rockets, this project involved a fully integrated surface design across the entire launch vehicle. This unprecedented initiative presented both technical and visual challenges. To realize the vision, artist Jacky Tsai worked closely with engineers to apply aerospace-grade paint and advanced production methods, ensuring the artwork remained vivid and intact under extreme launch conditions. ‘To witness my artwork launched into space on a real rocket is one of the most emotional moments of my career. Through this project, I hope to send our shared dreams and imagination truly into the cosmos,’ Tsai said.

Segments of the painted rocket body were recovered post-launch following stage separation, serving as tangible evidence of this pioneering art experiment. The project stands as a formal and material intersection between visual art and aerospace technology. This launch represents a new point of convergence between creative disciplines and space exploration, expanding the framework through which rockets may be viewed not only as engineering systems but also as cultural artifacts.

Jacky Tsai’s artwork transforms the entire rocket surface

artist Jacky Tsai worked closely with engineers to realize the surface design

aerospace-grade paint remained vivid and intact under extreme launch conditions

project info:

name: the world’s first fully artist-painted rocket
designer: Jacky Tsai | @jackytsaiart

company: LandSpace

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