China's Liqing-2 rocket engine completes long-range test

China's liquid oxygen kerosene engine, the Liqing-2, developed by CAS Space, completed a long-range test on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of reusable rocket technology.

During the test, the 110-tonne pin engine underwent multiple ignitions. The longest single operation lasted 200 seconds, contributing to a total operational time of 420 seconds, which covered the flight duration of the first stage of the rocket. The engine's cumulative testing time has now surpassed 1,000 seconds.

"This marks that the engine can enter the reliability verification testing phase, preparing for mass production," said Chen Zhan, chief designer of the Liqing-2.

The Liqing-2 features a pin nozzle design, incorporating a pin-like protrusion at the center of the engine nozzle. This design allows for precise thrust control through a simple structure, making it highly reliable and an essential technology for reusable rockets. Compared to traditional designs, the Liqing-2 is more cost-effective and lighter, balancing high performance with economic efficiency.

"The pin nozzle injector comes at a relatively low cost. The successful development of this type of rocket engine means that China's commercial aerospace sector will have greater capabilities, more options, and lower costs, contributing to the industry's high-quality growth," said Chen.

The Liqing-2 will serve as the main engine for the reusable rockets Lijian-2 and Kinetica-2H.

CAS Space is a commercial spaceflight company established by the Institute of Mechanics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.