China Successfully Concludes Triple Liquid Oxygen-Kerosene Engine Tests in a Single Day, Boosting Future Launch Prospects

The Baolongyu testing facility of the Institute 165 from the Sixth Academy affiliated with the state-owned aerospace leader China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), successfully completes three consecutive acceptance evaluations of liquid oxygen-kerosene engines in a single day on January 19, 2024. Photo: VCG

This achievement marks the first time the Baolongyu testing site of the Institute 165 from the Sixth Academy, part of the state-owned aerospace leader China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), has successfully completed three consecutive acceptance evaluations of liquid oxygen-kerosene engines in one day on a Sunday.

This breakthrough signifies a notable enhancement in China’s capacity to assess and validate the primary propulsion engines of future launch vehicles, facilitating more regular launch operations, as noted by the Global Times from the Sixth Academy.

The Baolongyu facility has been operational since January 2005. The responsibility of carrying out acceptance evaluations for liquid oxygen-kerosene engines is crucial for the precise evaluation of engine performance. Each liquid oxygen-kerosene engine must clear a process evaluation prior to being approved for flight.

In a media statement shared with the Global Times on Sunday, the academy emphasized that conducting three evaluations in a single day for two varieties of oxygen-kerosene engines is a pioneering achievement in China.

In recent years, bolstered by robust backing from pertinent authorities, the Institute 165 has utilized its comprehensive capability enhancement initiatives, incorporating an array of digital empowerment and technological innovation strategies, which have led to significant improvements in operational efficiency. Consequently, the preparation duration for the acceptance evaluations of liquid oxygen-kerosene engines has been shortened from five days to three, and subsequently to two.

The institute has begun the development of advanced testing units to augment testing foundations, expedite the transition toward excellence, and foster objectives such as the digital enhancement of the testing structure, digital management of the testing process, and innovative testing organization models, thereby thoroughly empowering the transformation and advancement of scientific research and production methodologies, as stated in the media release.

Looking ahead, the institute intends to continue establishing new quality productive forces in liquid propulsion testing, with a focus on improving the standardization of evaluation processes, visual on-site management, and digital integration and coordination. It will further refine operational processes, enhance process oversight, and elevate quality standards, ensuring the punctual delivery of China’s next-generation launch vehicle primary propulsion engines, as they affirmed.