Asia's Largest and China's First Vertical High-Altitude Simulation Test Stand Completes Ignition Test

Asia's largest and China's first vertical high-altitude simulation test stand for rocket engines completed an ignition test in Beijing on Wednesday, confirming its operational readiness and addressing a crucial gap in China's rocket engine testing capabilities.

This was reported by the Global Times on Thursday.

Developed by the Institute 101 of the Sixth Academy of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the facility can simulate high-altitude conditions in a vacuum environment below one kilopascal and sustain tests for thousands of seconds.

This development is set to provide crucial support for major aerospace projects, including the construction of testing conditions for heavy-lift rockets, according to a statement from the developers.

The test stand features advanced super-single-stage ejection technology, enhancing ejection capability, efficiency, and reliability while reducing operational complexity. It also incorporates a multi-machine parallel system for the steam generator, achieving breakthroughs in high-reliability torch ignition technology and stable startup for various pressure modes. These advancements offer redundancy and real-time fault diagnosis, broadening the system's application range.

The project, noted for its scale, technical challenges, and rapid construction, is the largest and most complex test facility built by the institute. The developers emphasized the test stand's role in advancing China's aerospace testing capabilities and supporting the nation's space ambitions.

This follows the trial of a high-thrust test stand for liquid-propellant rocket engines in Tongchuan, Shaanxi Province, in April 2023, which marked the completion of Asia's largest test bench with a 700-ton thrust capacity.

Observers highlight that these advancements in test and verification facilities will significantly support China's major aerospace projects, including heavy-lift carrier rockets, manned lunar landings, and deep space exploration. Recent successes, such as the Chang'e-6 lunar probe mission, and plans for future missions like Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8, underscore China's commitment to expanding its space capabilities. By 2045, China aims to have a fully operational lunar station, facilitating extensive scientific research and resource development on the moon.

China also has ambitious plans for deep space exploration, with the Tianwen-2 mission to an asteroid around 2025 and the Tianwen-3 mission for a Mars sample return by 2030, reflecting the country's growing prowess in space exploration and technology.