Universal reusable rocket engine developed in China
The Xi'an-based startup Mega Engine Technology has announced the successful completion of long-duration fire tests for a promising closed-cycle liquid rocket engine running on kerosene and liquid oxygen. Official information about this power unit, named "Chi" (translated as "Flame"), was published on Chinese social media on May 25. This is reported by Ixbt.com .
During the tests, a single engine unit operated for a total of 1000 seconds in the calculated operating mode, while the total operating time for the units within the entire test program reached 2000 seconds. According to company representatives, the high-tech liquid rocket engine (LRE), which reburns oxidizer generator gas, demonstrated rapid startup and stable operation at all stages. Final inspections showed that all hardware parts and internal components remained intact after extreme thermal loads.
The developed power unit belongs to the 80-ton thrust class. The engine is capable of adjusting its thrust level from 35 to 75 tons at sea level, and can provide a maximum of 87 tons of force in vacuum conditions. The specific impulse of the device is 302 seconds at sea level and 350 seconds at altitude. The main advantage of the LRE is its reusability: it supports vector control and variable thrust, and is designed for multiple restarts during flight.
Therefore, this device is suitable for use as a main engine in the second and upper stages of medium and heavy launch vehicles, as well as in the first stage of light and medium rockets. Although Mega Engine Technology began its operations in early 2024, it was able to demonstrate a fully functional and high-efficiency closed-cycle kerosene-oxygen LRE in a short time. The strategic goal of the Xi'an-based startup is to provide reliable engines to commercial companies developing new-generation launch vehicles.
