China makes breakthrough in developing 220-metric-ton high-thrust hydrogen-oxygen engine

(ECNS) -- China has successfully completed a test of a 220-metric-tonne high-thrust hydrogen-oxygen engine for the first time in Xi'an, north China's Shaanxi Province, according to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Group on Wednesday.

The test achieved a significant breakthrough in China's research on high-thrust staged combustion hydrogen-oxygen rocket engines. It also lays a solid propulsion foundation for the development of heavy-lift launch vehicles and reusable carriers.

This engine adopts a closed-cycle staged combustion system, characterized by high thrust, high chamber pressure, and high specific impulse.

The test evaluated the coordination and compatibility of the staged combustion hydrogen-oxygen engine during start-up, shutdown, and component operation, verifying the correctness and feasibility of the engine's system design.

It marked the largest full-scale hydrogen-oxygen engine test ever conducted in China and was conducted on a newly-built vertical high-altitude simulation test stand for hydrogen-oxygen engines.