Blue Arrow Space: 100-second test firing of the "Tian Que" 80-ton liquid oxygen methane engine successful
On July 22, 2019, Blue Origin announced the successful completion of a 100% thrust test of its "Tianque" TQ-12 liquid oxygen methane engine, with the longest test lasting 100 seconds. This is also China's first independently developed 80-ton liquid oxygen methane engine, and it boasts the third-largest thrust in the world and the largest in Asia.
It is understood that, During this round of testing, the engine started and shut down quickly and smoothly, with measured performance data exceeding design specifications. 。 Multiple innovative technologies were thoroughly tested, including the overall engine design, start-up and shut-down procedures, nozzle laser welding, high-efficiency turbopump, turbopump fluid dynamic pressure sealing, and new valve dynamic sealing. The 100-ton-class liquid rocket engine test stand was also verified.
Ge Minghe, general manager of the Blue Origin Power R&D Department, stated that after the 100-second 100% thrust test, Several key technical parameters have met the requirements of flight design specifications. This further tested the engine's production quality and structural reliability, bringing it closer to flight readiness. 。
|
|
Measured Value |
Design Value |
| Sea Level Thrust |
667kN |
658kN |
| Sea Level Specific Impulse |
284.5s |
283.5s |
| Chamber Pressure |
10.1MPa |
10.0MPa |
TQ-12 Engine 100% Thrust 100-Second Test Data
The "Tianque" TQ-12 engine is currently China's most powerful cryogenic liquid rocket engine. This engine features reusability, environmental friendliness (non-toxic), high reliability, high performance, low cost, and ease of operation. ; Ground-based engine sea level thrust 67 tons, vacuum thrust 76 tons; vacuum-type engine vacuum thrust 80 tons. This engine can support smaller rockets with a single engine and larger rockets, making it commercially valuable, moderately difficult to develop, and highly cost-effective.
The "Tianque" engine's R&D commenced in 2017. It has undergone significant tests including gas generator testing, short nozzle thrust chamber testing, and subsystem testing. In May 2019, the full system completed a 20-second test. In July, a second 80-ton liquid oxygen methane engine (TQ-12), weighing 44 kg less and with multiple optimizations, was fully assembled, and testing entered a new phase.
According to the plan, the TQ-12 engine will undergo subsequent tests under extreme conditions, extreme boundary conditions, and long-duration tests to rigorously assess the design and manufacturing quality of the engine. In the future, The "Tianque" two types of liquid oxygen methane engines, TQ-11 and TQ-12, will constitute the power system of the "Zhuque-2" launch vehicle.
