Get ready for some space stuff! China’s Tianlong-3, also known as Heavenly Dragon, just smashed its first-stage propulsion test out at sea off Shandong’s coast on the Chinese mainland 🚀. With nine powerful Tianhuo-12 engines firing in parallel, the test checked all the key tech.
Here’s the lowdown:
- 🔧 Engine performance: precise ignition timing, stable burn, smooth shutdown—check!
- 💨 Wind and vibration shields: keeps the rocket chill against gale-force gusts and tricky shakes.
- ⚡ Lightning and heat protection: special coatings to survive fierce electrical strikes and scorching flames.
At 72 meters tall and 600 tonnes at liftoff, Tianlong-3 aims to carry 17 to 22 tonnes to low-Earth orbit (that’s the height where the ISS floats) or 10 to 17 tonnes to a sun-synchronous orbit (perfect for Earth-monitoring satellites 🌏). It can even launch up to 36 satellites in one go—imagine all your favorite apps and services powered by these tiny space pals!
Space Pioneer, the Beijing-based start-up behind this NewSpace hero, kicked off development back in March 2022. Founder Kang Yonglai says the systems nailed every metric and the rocket’s maiden flight is slated for late 2025 👀. It’s a big leap for commercial aerospace in the region—think of it like a local brand going global and taking on the giants of the sky.
Whether you’re into tech, environmental monitoring, or just dreaming big, Tianlong-3’s success is proof that Asia’s space game is heating up 🔥. Stay tuned for more updates as we countdown to liftoff!
Reference(s):
China's Tianlong-3 rocket completes first-stage propulsion system test
cgtn.com
