Galactic Energy completes 130-second test of new 100-ton rocket engine

Chinese space technology firm Galactic Energy (星河动力) announced on September 10th that it successfully conducted a 130-second rated condition test of its new CQ-90 (Cangqiong-90) engine. This liquid oxygen/kerosene engine is designed to produce 100 tons of thrust and will serve as the main engine for the "Zhi Shen Xing II" (智神星二号) launch vehicle.

The company stated that the test ran smoothly, with all performance indicators meeting design requirements. This successful test marks a significant step towards verifying the engine's reliability and its readiness for engineering finalization and flight applications. The CQ-90 has now moved into the reliability verification test phase after completing over 20 research-oriented tests.

The CQ-90 is an upgraded version of Galactic Energy's previously developed CQ-50 engine, which produces 50 tons of thrust and incorporates deep variable thrust control technology. The CQ-50 has undergone over 23,000 seconds of cumulative hot fire testing, validating key technologies such as needle valve injection and multiple start capabilities.

Galactic Energy has integrated several proprietary technologies into the CQ-90. These include a simplified and redundant engine system design, a "pump-behind-swing" configuration allowing ±6° gimbaling for compactness, and a novel high-performance adjustable needle valve injector that achieves over 97% combustion efficiency in the thrust chamber. Notably, over 90% of the engine's components utilize 3D printing, significantly reducing production time and cost while enhancing product consistency.

The engine's key specifications include a thrust range from 30 to 120 tons at sea level, with a specific impulse of at least 282 seconds and a thrust-to-weight ratio exceeding 150. Its most notable feature is the wide thrust adjustment capability, ranging from 30% to 120% of maximum thrust. This allows for precise control, adapting to the varying thrust demands during a rocket's ascent and the deceleration required for landing, thereby providing the core power for the "Zhi Shen Xing II" upper stage's vertical landing and reusability.