China Completes Test Run for Long March-5 Y6 Rocket Engine

On July 26, a calibration test of the high-thrust hydrogen-oxygen engine for China’s Long March-5 Y6 carrier rocket was successfully completed. After analyzing test data, the engine will be delivered to the rocket assembly for subsequent launch missions.

The calibration test is a short-range ground test under rated conditions for the purpose of checking and adjusting performance parameters of engines ready to be delivered to the rocket assembly. Therefore, before each launch mission, the engines for the rocket must undergo calibration tests.

Chen Chunfu, the deputy chief engineer of the 101 Research Institute at the 6th Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), said: “in order to verify the reliability and accuracy of the assembly, we need to obtain the data of each engine to provide strong support for the rockets and guarantee for the launch missions.”

The high-thrust hydrogen-oxygen engine is used in the core stage of the Long March 5 series of carrier rockets, and is the most advanced cryogenic liquid rocket engine that China has put into application. The launch of the Chang’e 5 lunar probe and the Tianwen-1 Mars probe carried out by the Long March-5 rockets all used this type of engine.

SEE ALSO: China Launches Crewed Shenzhou-14 Mission to Complete Space Station Construction

On the second anniversary of the successful launch of the Tianwen-1 Mars probe on July 23, the first image of Phobos taken by the Chinese Tianwen-1 Mars orbiter, developed by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), was officially released. This image is a panchromatic image taken by a high-definition camera carried by the Mars orbiter. In the image. Phobos on the picture is in the shape of a potato, and its surface is covered with different crater forms with complete appearances and details.