Chinese space startup JiuZhou Yunjian has reached an important milestone with the successful completion of a 10-km flight test of its Longyun liquid oxygen methane engine at the Jiuquan Dongfeng Launch Site. This first flight test demonstrated stable performance across all parameters, including flawless execution of startup and shutdown sequences, thrust vectoring and modulation.
This test represents China’s largest vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) maneuver for reusable rockets to date. It was the first use of a domestically developed, deep throttle liquid oxygen-methane engine in a return flight to an altitude of 10 km. The test validated the VTOL configuration of a 3.8 meter diameter rocket body and demonstrated advances in high-load landing cushion technology, reusable propulsion technology and precision navigation and control technology for return landings.
BLT played a key role in this success through metal additive manufacturing. This included the development of critical components such as thrust chamber parts and turbopump components. The thrust chamber cap, which is central to the functioning of the engine, was printed using the high-temperature alloy In718. With the BLT-S450 printing machine, the thrust chamber cap could be produced in just seven days, which significantly accelerated production times.
The development of turbopump components also benefited from additive manufacturing. BLT produced complex parts such as the impellers and housings of the oxygen and methane pumps, which require precise blade profiles and surface roughness. Utilizing BLT’s S450 equipment enabled the serial production of six high-temperature alloy In718 oxygen pump impellers per run, with each part requiring an average production time of approximately 52 hours.
BLT remains committed to supporting its 30+ customers in the commercial aerospace sector. Currently, key components in several projects are in mass production, underscoring BLT’s commitment to advancing industry standards.
Through extensive research and development capabilities, BLT continues to provide innovative solutions and offer turnkey additive manufacturing solutions for customers in various industries, including simulation and optimization consulting, technical support, research assistance, equipment support, raw material supply, part printing and process parameter development.
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