Chinese commercial spaceport deploys innovative cooling system

A commercial spacecraft launch site in south China's Hainan Province successfully deployed an innovative "high-pressure water spray system" for cooling and noise reduction during the latest launch of 18 low Earth orbit satellites atop a Long March-8 Y6 carrier rocket.

The satellite group was launched at 12:38 a.m. on Wednesday – the first launch from the No. 1 pad at the site. The No. 2 pad had its inaugural launch on November 30, 2024. The mission signifies the dual-pad readiness of China's first commercial spaceport for future missions.

Meanwhile, the advanced cooling system, used for the first time at the site's No. 1 launch pad, marks a step forward in enhancing the launch efficiency and equipment protection of this commercial launch site.

The No. 1 launch pad, designed with a modular steel structure, features several innovative elements to enhance rapid reuse capabilities, including the high-pressure water jet system.

"This is the first time we have applied a high-pressure water spray system. Its pressure is doubled as compared to traditional systems. The most significant difference is that while their water tanks are located at the top of the launch tower, ours are on the ground. We have three 300-cubic-meter storage tanks: one filled with 300 tonnes of water and the other two with high-pressure gas. The high-pressure gas forces the water through underground conduits into the deflector device," said Zhang Guodong, an engineer from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

During a rocket launch, the exhaust flame can reach temperatures as high as 3,000 degrees Celsius. To protect both the rocket and ground facilities from the intense heat, a deflector device is essential, according to the engineer.

"In addition to the area you can see, there are numerous drainage holes along the sides of the launch pad and many water spray nozzles on its upper surface. These are all designed to cool, and also reduce noise. The noise generated by the rocket engine can have a significant impact on the internal components of the rocket. We must reduce the noise level by 10 decibels. A series of measures have been taken to ensure the rapid recovery of the launch tower," he said.

The launch pad now supports a seven-day launch and seven-day reset cycle, crucial for meeting surging launch demands.