On Monday, a test run marked a major milestone for Space Pioneer's Tianlong-3 rocket, the Chinese mainland's latest liquid-propellant launcher. Deployed on an offshore pad at the Haiyang Oriental Aerospace Port in east China's Shandong Province, the first-stage propulsion system fired up with nine Tianhuo-12 engines operating in parallel.
At 72 meters tall and weighing 600 tonnes at takeoff, Tianlong-3 is designed to deliver payloads of 17 to 22 tonnes to low-Earth orbit and 10 to 17 tonnes to sun-synchronous orbit. The test verified key technologies including wind resistance, anti-vibration, lightning protection, and high-temperature flame shielding.
"All systems operated normally, with precise engine ignition timing, stable operation and orderly shutdown," said Kang Yonglai, founder of Space Pioneer. Data from the comprehensive drills confirmed that the rocket meets performance requirements for its maiden flight.
Beyond boosting the startup's portfolio, Tianlong-3 aims to support large-scale cargo transport to China's space station and carry up to 36 satellites in a single mission. Plans call for a maiden flight by the end of 2025, as Space Pioneer pushes to carve out a role in the global race for cost-effective launch services.
With the successful test, Space Pioneer joins a growing wave of private space players reshaping the industry. For young global citizens, entrepreneurs and tech fans, Tianlong-3's progress is a reminder of how innovation and data-driven engineering are fueling new frontiers above Earth.
Reference(s):
China's Tianlong-3 rocket completes first-stage propulsion system test
cgtn.com
