Country of origin | China |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Space Pioneer |
Status | Active |
Liquid-fuel engine | |
Propellant | LOX / RP-1 |
Performance | |
Thrust, vacuum | 300 kilonewtons (67,000 lbf) |
Thrust, sea-level | 257 kilonewtons (58,000 lbf) |
Throttle range | 50%~110% |
Thrust-to-weight ratio | 130 |
Chamber pressure | 10 MPa (1,500 psi) |
Specific impulse, vacuum | 340.6s |
Specific impulse, sea-level | 291.8s |
Used in | |
Tianlong-2 | |
References | |
Notes | [1] |
The TH-11 (Chinese :天火-11; pinyin :Tiānhuǒ-11, lit. Sky Fire 11) is an oxidizer-rich staged combustion cycle rocket engine burning LOX and kerosene developed by Space Pioneer. The TH-11 engine features a reusable design, staged combustion cycle, wide usage of 3D printed components (>80%), and short development time, making it a notable achievement within the Chinese commercial space industry. [2]
Space Pioneer proposed the TH-11 engine for its Tianlong-2 launch vehicle. Full-system hot-fire tests were completed in June 2021. [2] The Tianlong-2 rocket successfully completed its maiden flight on April 2, 2023, achieving the targeted orbit. Powered by a single Tianhuo-11 engine in its second stage, this launch marked the engine's operational debut. [3]
An expendable launch system is a launch vehicle that can be launched only once, after which its components are either destroyed during reentry or discarded in space. ELVs typically consist of several rocket stages that are discarded sequentially as their fuel is exhausted and the vehicle gains altitude and speed. As of 2022, most satellites and human spacecraft are currently launched on ELVs. ELVs are simpler in design than reusable launch systems and therefore may have a lower production cost. Furthermore, an ELV can use its entire fuel supply to accelerate its payload, offering greater payloads. ELVs are proven technology in widespread use for many decades.
The space program of the People's Republic of China is directed by the China National Space Administration (CNSA). China's space program has overseen the development and launch of ballistic missiles, thousands of artificial satellites, crewed spaceflight, an indigenous space station, and has stated plans to explore the Moon, Mars, and the broader Solar System.
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The Long March 6A or Chang Zheng 6A as in pinyin, abbreviated LM 6A for export or CZ 6A within China, is a Chinese launch vehicle of the Long March family, which was developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST). The vehicle is a further development of the Long March 6, with 2 YF-100 engines on the first stage as opposed to 1 on the Long March 6, augmented by 4 solid rocket boosters. The Long March 6A is China's first rocket with solid rocket boosters. The maiden launch of the Long March 6A took place 29 March 2022, successfully reaching orbit. It was also the first launch from the newly built launch complex 9A in Taiyuan.
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