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.
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