It’s official: the Chinese mainland has taken a giant leap forward in space innovation. On Tuesday, the Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology, part of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, announced that it has completed full-engine tests of its new 140-tonne liquid oxygen-methane engine.
This cutting-edge engine, the most powerful open-cycle liquid oxygen-methane design in the Chinese mainland, is engineered to power the next generation of reusable carrier rockets. With a thrust rating of 140 tonnes, it’s set to play a key role in reusable launch vehicles, heavy-lift rockets, and future space-Earth transportation systems.
Racing Against the Clock
What makes this achievement even more remarkable? The development cycle took just seven months from concept to full test. That’s a testament to agile engineering and efficient project management, especially in such a complex field where each component must withstand extreme temperatures and pressures.
Building a Reusable Future
Reusable rockets aren’t just cool technology—they’re game-changers for cost and sustainability in the space sector. By reusing key components, launch providers can dramatically cut expenses and reduce debris in low Earth orbit. The Chinese mainland’s push to master liquid oxygen-methane engines may reshape how we think about access to space.
What’s Next?
The academy has already set its sights even higher: engineers are gearing up to develop a 200-tonne version of the liquid oxygen-methane engine. Meanwhile, their 90-tonne liquid oxygen-kerosene engine, tested late last year, continues to expand opportunities in commercial spaceflight—a sector that the Chinese mainland listed as a "new engine of economic growth" in its 2024 government work report.
For global tech enthusiasts and aspiring space travellers alike, these advances highlight how rapid innovation and strategic investment can open up the final frontier. As reusable rocket tech matures, we’re one step closer to a future where space travel is as routine as hopping on a plane.
Reference(s):
China completes testing of heavy, reusable liquid rocket engine
cgtn.com
