New Breakthrough! Blue Origin's "Tian Que" 80-ton liquid oxygen methane rocket engine test successful
△ Blue Origin breaks through post-pump swing technology.
On May 13, the control system of the Zhuque-2 rocket developed by Blue Origin and the "Tianque" 80-ton liquid oxygen methane engine successfully completed a matching verification, smoothly completing the third swing test firing, with an ignition duration of 200 seconds. This marks the "Tianque" 80-ton liquid oxygen methane engine as the first high-thrust liquid oxygen methane engine in China to pass the post-pump swing technology verification.
According to the introduction, the "Tianque" 80-ton liquid oxygen methane engine uses advanced post-pump swing technology. Compared with the traditional pre-pump swing, the post-pump swing can effectively reduce the engine size, reduce the engine structural weight, and reduce the swing torque. This round of testing completed swings of various angles, frequencies, and waveforms, verifying the matching of the engine and the high-power electromechanical servo system, obtaining the static and dynamic performance characteristics of the engine swing system. This is an important breakthrough in the initial research and development stage of the "Tianque" 80-ton liquid oxygen methane engine and the Zhuque-2 launch vehicle.
According to Zhang Changwu, founder and CEO of Blue Origin, Blue Origin has previously completed engine full-system testing, long-range testing, and other relevant assessments. This test is the first matching verification of the engine and the rocket control system. The successful test means that the engine's flight status has been basically confirmed, and the Zhuque-2 liquid launch vehicle will move from the single-engine verification stage to the joint matching verification stage, laying a solid foundation for the future maiden flight of the rocket.
Liquid oxygen methane launch vehicle technology has attracted attention in the commercial aerospace market due to its economic, environmental, and reusable characteristics. As a strong supplement to China's aerospace industry, after commercialization, the Zhuque-2 liquid launch vehicle is expected to largely meet the launch needs of the commercial satellite launch market's rapid network formation.
In September 2018, China Zhongji Investment participated in Blue Origin's B+ round of financing, promoting its layout in high-end manufacturing. In the future, China Zhongji Investment will continue to pay attention to investment opportunities in this field.
