China's state-owned main space contractor, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), conducted tests on five different rocket engines on January 2, 2025, at two locations in Beijing and Hebei Province. This initiative aims to prepare for upcoming missions and projects.
Among the tested engines was a new hydrogen-oxygen engine designed for the upper stage of an unspecified rocket, which successfully operated for 100 seconds. Xia Wei, a CASC engineer, stated that the test was a complete success, providing valuable performance data.
China is advancing its development of liquid hydrogen-liquid oxygen engines, notably for the Long March 10 launcher, intended for lunar missions. Other engines tested included a main engine, an upper-stage engine, and a reaction and orbit control engine, although specific rocket applications remain undisclosed.
Additionally, a methane-liquid oxygen engine was successfully tested in Laiyuan. CASC's commercial partners, such as Landspace and iSpace, are also working on methane-fueled engines. Notably, CASC is developing a full-flow staged combustion engine for its Long March 9 megarocket project, with a launch and landing test of another methane rocket expected soon.
Xia indicated that CASC will continue to research and test various engines for deep-space exploration and heavy-lift rockets, potentially unveiling a range of new Long March and commercial rockets this year, as reported by SpaceNews.