All articles tagged with #rocket engines
The article compares SpaceX's Raptor and Blue Origin's BE-4 rocket engines, highlighting differences in thrust, fuel, efficiency, and real-world application, with Raptor being more advanced in chamber pressure and specific impulse, while BE-4 is more commercially available and has seen successful actual launches.
SpaceX has successfully conducted a static fire test of its Starship upper-stage prototype, Ship 28, equipped with six advanced Raptor engines. The test, performed at the Starbase facility in South Texas, marks another milestone for the ambitious Starship project, which aims to create a reusable spacecraft for human and cargo transportation to destinations like the Moon and Mars.
China is making progress in developing full-flow staged-combustion-cycle methane engines to power its reusable Long March 9 super heavy-lift launcher. The engines, which produce 200 tons of thrust, have undergone successful hot fire tests and are comparable to SpaceX's Raptor engine. The development of these engines will support China's plans for future large-scale deep space exploration, including a Mars landing. However, challenges remain in terms of complex system configuration, integrated layout, and controlling the ignition process. Strengthening efforts in related technologies is crucial to complete this technically difficult project and achieve low-cost, highly reliable, and rapidly reusable engines.
China has completed the construction of Asia's largest test stand for liquid-propellant rocket engines in Shaanxi province. The test stand is designed to support a basic thrust of 700 tons and is a big boost to China's liquid rocket engine infrastructure. China has been developing engines capable of 500 tons of thrust as part of its plans to build super heavy-lift rockets for future lunar missions. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is developing huge new Long March 9 and Long March 10 series launch vehicles intended for use in deep space exploration, crewed lunar missions and the construction of space infrastructure.