HELSINKI — A Chinese launch startup has performed high-temperature firing tests as part of its planned development of a reusable stainless steel rocket, apparently inspired by SpaceX’s Starship.
Space Epoch recently conducted a series of tests of a 4.2-meter diameter stainless steel propellant tank paired with a Longyun 70 methane liquid oxygen engine developed by engine manufacturer Jiuzhou Yunjian. The tests were conducted at the Kyushu Yunjian test site in Anhui province.
The test is part of Beijing-based Space Epoch, which developed the previously revealed 64-meter-tall stainless steel launcher to lift 6.5 tons into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 1,100 kilometers. You can ride it. Launchers can be reused up to 20 times.
Static fire tests included ignition and restart tests, as well as low-level propellant ignition. The breakthrough in combining stainless steel storage tanks and liquid oxygen methane technology laid a solid foundation for subsequent rocket flight tests, said Jiuzhou Yunjian. statement.
oh boy. So Chinese Metalox rocket engine maker Jiuzhou Yunjian has decided to sell his Longyun-70 engine to Space Epoch, a Chinese launch startup that wants to develop SpaceX’s first smaller version of his Starship. of stainless steel tanks. https://t.co/6sk59VQZFY pic.twitter.com/4TTtc070ZG
— Andrew Jones (@AJ_FI) January 19, 2023
Meanwhile, SpaceX has edging First orbital launch attempt 120 meters high and 9 meters in diameter Starship Starbase test site in Boca Chica, Texas.
Space Epoch was not only inspired by SpaceX in its combination of stainless steel tanks and methane LOX engines, but also used an iterative approach, using a style similar to Starship-developed SN/serial number designations. increase.
The XZH-1 D1 was used for a recent combined system test. The XZH-1 D2 will be used for the first subballistic sea landing recovery tests during 2023.
Space Epoch is a recent entrant in China’s nascent commercial launch sector and has big ambitions. The company raised an undisclosed angel round last August, after which it pressure-tested thin-walled stainless steel tanks measuring 3 and 4 meters in diameter.
The company’s press release said it is determined to become a leader in China’s interplanetary transportation system and contribute to the country’s requirements for increased national space infrastructure and launch capacity.
The company also operates in point-to-point transportation, space travel, space station construction, deep space exploration, planetary defense.
Jiuzhou Yunjian is a rocket engine start-up founded in 2017. selected New Chinese launch startup Rocket Pi will power the Darwin 1 rocket, which may launch later this year.
The state-owned Shanghai Academy of Space Flight Technology (SAST), a major subsidiary of China’s main space contractor CASC, apparently under consideration It uses Jiuzhou Yunjian’s reusable 70-ton thrust open-cycle Longyun engine as a unique potential answer to Starship’s challenges.
Another major rocket building arm of CASC, the China Academy of Rocket Technology (CALT), also presented the concept For launchers depicting the vision of Starship.
The Zhuque-2, China’s first methane LOX rocket and the first commercially developed liquid launcher, test flight last month. A problem with the second stage vernier engine prevented it from reaching orbit.
