Major Test Completed on LM-9 Heavy Launch Vehicle Engine

A compatibility test on the turbopump and gas generator of 500-ton liquid oxygen kerosene engine developed by the Academy of Aerospace Liquid Propulsion Technology was successful on March 24, 2019, marking China's realization of key technologies and the in-depth demonstration of the 500-ton heavy launch vehicle, and laying a solid foundation for the subsequent development of heavy launch vehicle engine.

This is a linkage test of turbopump,gas generator and related components that verifies the design of generator and turbopump assembly. It realizes a smooth transition from start-up, to primary stage, main stage and shutdown,laying a foundation for further research and development of engine test.

The main parts of a liquid rocket engine include thrust chamber, gas generator, turbopump, automatic device and control system. The turbopump is the key part of a rocket engine, it has to complete a high-pressure feed of 1.6 tons of propellant in 1 second.

Considering its sophisticated structure and the extreme conditions under which it works, the research and development of the turbopump is the most important part of a rocket engine project.Therefore, the successful test represents a major milestone in the engine development.

It will be the biggest and most powerful rocket engine of its kind in China. It will be used on the LM-9 heavy launch vehicle, which will be key to China's future space endeavors, such as manned lunar mission and deep space exploration.

Considering the liquid rocket engine as the main force, CASC has developed the Long March family launch vehicles after several decades of untiring efforts.The YF-20 engine has become the gold product of China space industry. At the same time, China has successfully developed the YF-75 and other high-performance liquid oxygen liquid hydrogen engines, conducted hundreds of satellite launches, realized manned spaceflight and lunar exploration, and achieved remarkable achievements in the world.

At present, China has mastered various key technologies of the liquid oxygen kerosene and liquid oxygen liquid hydrogen engines, successfully conducted the maiden flight of new generation launch vehicles including LM-5, LM-6, and LM-7 carrier rockets. New materials and technologies for the development of a new generation of carrier propulsion have laid the foundation for the development of heavy launch vehicle engines. Further development of larger thrust liquid oxygen kerosene engines and liquid oxygen liquid hydrogen engines is the development of China space propulsion system,which will meet the needs of major space activities such as manned lunar exploration, deep space exploration, and the launch of large space stations, and enhance China's ability to enter space.(DAI Zhenying/China Space News)