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Successful test of rocket engine key components! Chinese version Falcon 9 has a new breakthrough

2019/07/08


 

In the new era of science and technology with Unprecedented Changes in a Century, people have called for more leading innovation. At such a transformation node, commercial space industry has also achieved unprecedented rapid development. There is a new piece of news from Galactic Energy, one of China’s commercial medium-size reusable rockets company .

On July 6, Galactic Energy has successfully compeleted its first domestic liquid oxygen/kerosene engine key components  - "Multiple counterflow vortex unique configuration gas generator"  firing test, the gas generator can organize combustion of about 4% of the engine's propellant in the rich combustion state, and eject high temperature and high pressure exhaust (smoke) to provide work medium for the turbo-pump of the engine.

    

As the main power source for PALLAS-1, the reusable medium liquid propellant launch vehicle , the success of the gas generator firing test means that the development of the Chinese version of Falcon 9 has taken a solid step, and the rocket technology strength has reached the advanced level in China.

The greatest significance of commercial space is low cost.

According to estimates by international space experts, It costs 10,000 to 20,000 dollars to send one kilogram payload into space with a single-use carrier rocket, with an excellent overall design and adequate testing, SpaceX is offering a reusable falcon 9 rocket for low-earth orbit launch for about $60 million, that amounts to around $4,600 per kilogram of payload, and there is a significant gap to reduce the total cost of launching a rocket.

 

Galactic Energy is a private space company engaged in low-cost commercial space launch business in China.

The company's self-developed PALLAS-1 rocket is the first reusable liquid oxygen/kerosene carrier rocket in China , and the second in the world. Before joining Galactic Energy, Qian Yunfang, the leader of Galactic Energy’s liquid engine team, was engaged in the design and test of space engine system in a domestic research institute. He participated in the completion of national major projects such as Beidou project, lunar exploration project, new-generation carrier rocket research and a number of national 863 program projects.

Chinese technology! Five independent innovations light up the future

It is reported that a total of 7 ignition tests were carried out, with a total test time of 380 seconds and a maximum operating time of 100s. The propellant flow range was 3.2kg/s-7.8kg/s, mixing ratio was 0.3-0.5 and chamber pressure was 4mpa-8mpa, covering all working conditions of the engine at 4:1 deep throttling. The preliminary analysis of test data shows that the gas generator starts and shuts down normally, the test data is consistent with the preset value, and the outlet flame is stable. The maximum characteristic velocity efficiency of the test is close to 100%, the temperature uniformity of export exhaust is ≤±28℃, there is no start temperature peak, the chamber pressure pulsation is ≤±3%, and the RMS acceleration of axial, radial and tangent vibration ≤30g, all the parameters reached the international advanced level. After the test, the product is in good condition and the test is a complete success.

Without being restricted by traditional technology, Galactic Energy created the disruptive innovation-- "multi-reflux vortex profile-type gas generator", which has five innovation points:

1. Independently developed the heat transfer and combustion integrated calculation simulation software, optimized the impact atomization parameters of low-temperature liquid oxygen and normal temperature kerosene, and formed an efficient atomization mixing effect through hundreds groups of like-on-like nozzles and peripheral cooling design;

2. Adopting the patented technology of the company, a unique turbulent ring is designed to form multiple backflow zones inside the generator and significantly improve the mixing and combustion efficiency;

3. Innovatively designed the spherical and conical shaped body structure to precisely control the generation and failure of backflow vortex and enhance the uniformity of outlet exhaust temperature (≤±30℃);

4. In order to meet the requirements of variable thrust and 50 times reuse of the engine, the gas generator adopts a wide range of multi-operating conditions design, and novel protection measures are adopted for the cooling of the injection surface and body, which extends the working life and is suitable for reuse.

 

5. Different from the traditional igniter head center layout, Galactic Energy adopts the innovative radial layout, improves the ignition reliability, can increase the ignition times to more than 5 times.

With inventive mind and accumulation of innovation, efficient iteration of technological breakthroughs, Galactic Energy constantly refresh people's understanding of private rockets, and has been widely concerned by the industry. It is understood that the gas generator, turbo-pump and thrust chamber design have been completed by the reuse of medium liquid propellant launch vehicle engine of PALLAS-1. Through the gas generator ground test, Galactic Energy has verify the gas generator plan, determined the product technical state, the tested products will be directly used in the subsequent gas generator and the turbo-pump half system test and Engine full system test, greatly accelerate the liquid rocket development process, the commercial orbit launch of  Chinese version Falcon 9 is expected in the near future.

 


 

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