According to Aerospace Science and Technology Group,On March 3, the second ignition test of the second stage of the Long March 8 improved rocket and the universal hydrogen and oxygen final stage was successfully completed, marking the successful conclusion of the full system test of the universal hydrogen and oxygen final stage that lasted more than two months.
The first previous test was ignited at 18:12 on February 3, 2024, and was successfully completed, assessing the compatibility of the entire system and process of the hydrogen-oxygen final stage.
This test is in the process of developing the final stage of hydrogen and oxygen.The largest and most critical trial, to further evaluate the launch adaptability after low-temperature refueling and parking for 24 hours.
This trial is of great significance becauseThis is the first hydrogen-oxygen module power system test run in China in 10 years, and the first common-base module power system test run in 30 years. It also laid a solid foundation for the entire development work and the first flight of subsequent models.
It is reported that the development of the universal hydrogen-oxygen final stage started in 2017, and the development of the Changba modified rocket was launched in August 2022. The second stage clearly adopts the dual-machine version of the universal hydrogen-oxygen final stage solution.
The Chang 8 modification is based on the basic version of the Long March 8 and is improved to meet the future launch needs of low-orbit mega-constellation networks. It will first fly in Wenchang, Hainan in the second half of 2024.
The Chang Ba Kai rocket has a carrying capacity of 7 tons in a sun-synchronous orbit of 700 kilometers, and is suitable for two diameter fairings of 4.2 meters and 5.2 meters. It has the characteristics of "advanced performance, low cost, high reliability, and rapid launch" and will be one of my country's main rockets in medium and low orbits in the future.
The Long March series of medium-sized rockets used to use a 3-meter-diameter hydrogen-oxygen final stage. However, the 3.35-meter-diameter universal hydrogen-oxygen final stage tested this time has undergone a series of technical improvements and is a universal product for the new generation of medium-sized rockets.
This plays an important role in improving the comprehensive performance of the Long March rocket, especially in improving the carrying capacity in low orbits of 800-1,000 kilometers or 800-1,200 kilometers and taking advantage of the characteristics of the hydrogen-oxygen engine with a large specific impulse.
With the universal hydrogen-oxygen final stage put into use,The Long March 8 series rockets will form a gradient coverage of 3-ton, 5-ton and 7-ton carrying capabilities in a sun-synchronous orbit of 700 kilometers., to meet the needs of different users for network transmission.