Big news for space tech enthusiasts! China's commercial rocket firm LandSpace has just completed a ground ignition test that simulates real flight conditions for the reusable Zhuque-3 rocket 🚀. This key milestone is set to propel the rocket toward its planned 2025 debut flight.
Held at the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone near the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, the test was the largest and most automated nine-engine parallel cluster hot-fire ever conducted. It carefully mimicked crucial pre-launch and flight stages including propellant loading, tank pressurization, sequential engine ignition, sustained operation, and a programmed shutdown.
The 45-second trial generated an impressive 7,542 kilonewtons of total thrust using nine self-developed liquid oxygen-methane engines. With its reusable first stage designed to fly at least 20 times and the ability to launch multiple satellites at once, the Zhuque-3 promises to slash launch costs by 80 to 90% compared to single-use rockets ✨.
This breakthrough not only marks a significant step for aerospace innovation but also inspires tech-savvy young professionals across South and Southeast Asia to dream big and aim high in the ever-evolving world of technology and space exploration.
Reference(s):
China's reusable rocket Zhuque-3 completes major engine cluster test
cgtn.com
