China has completed the construction of a testing platform for giant rocket engines that could assist the country in carrying out lunar exploration missions.
China conducted hot fire tests for rocket engines at the new facility in Dongxuan on April 24. (Video: CCTV/Space)
The testing platform in Dongxuan, Shaanxi Province, northwest China, is now the largest liquid-fueled rocket engine testing platform in Asia, according to Space on May 11. The new facility was constructed in a cut-out area on a hillside, safely directing the hot gas expelled from the rocket down to the valley floor.
This site successfully conducted a hot fire test for the rocket engine on April 24. The video shows a water discharge system that helps cool the hot gas and reduce sound pressure levels, while also demonstrating the exhaust flowing down to the valley floor.
The testing platform is designed to withstand a thrust of 700 tons. Meanwhile, China has been developing engines with a thrust of 500 tons as part of its plan to manufacture super-heavy launch vehicles for future lunar missions.
The testing platform is designed to withstand a thrust of 700 tons.
The new construction marks a significant advancement in the infrastructure for China’s liquid-fueled rocket engines, greatly enhancing testing capabilities, according to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), which owns the Dongxuan testing platform.
CASC is developing new giant rocket families, Long March 9 and Long March 10, to support deep space exploration, conduct crewed lunar missions, and build infrastructure in space.
