China's largest thrust engine completes first half-system test

Shenlan Space's base for liquid-propellant rocket engines and power testing in Jinan, Shandong province. [Photo/WeChat account: xinwu_wx]

Jiangsu Shenlan Space Co in Wuxi New District (WND) recently achieved a significant milestone with the completion of the first half-system test of LT-RS, China's largest thrust open-cycle liquid-propellant rocket engine.

During the test, the 130-ton engine underwent three ignitions totaling 105 seconds, with the longest lasting 90 seconds. The test validated the design of key components like the turbine pump and gas generator, and demonstrated critical technologies such as engine startup and shutdown. Post-test data revealed that the turbine pump's performance parameters exceeded design requirements.

This achievement marks a significant technological breakthrough in the design, manufacturing and testing of the 130-ton open-cycle engine. The LT-RS engine, tailored for Shenlan Space's Nebula-2 rocket launcher, offers high reliability, large thrust, multiple startups, deep throttling, and non-toxicity, all essential attributes for large-scale recoverable liquid-propellant rockets.

Founded in 2016, Shenlan Space is dedicated to the research and development of liquid-propellant reusable rocket launchers, with the goal of enhancing human access to space and reducing the associated costs. The company plans to achieve the orbit insertion and recovery of its Nebula-1 rocket launcher in the first quarter of 2025, initiating its commercialization efforts.