i-Space JD-2 Engine Successfully Completes Its 1st Full-system Test Run

On September 27th, i-Space announced that successfully completed the first full-system test of the hundred-ton liquid oxygen methane rocket engine Jiao Dian Two (code-named JD-2).

Before this system test, the JD-2 engine has undergone multiple tests including torch ignition test, gas generator ignition test, gas generator + turbo pump joint testing, thrust chamber cold tuning test, thrust chamber box pressure ignition test, and box pressure ignition + high-pressure spin-up relay testing. All of these tests have been successfully completed and laid a solid foundation for the overall system hot testing.

The ignition and start-up of the entire system during this test run were smooth, and the performance of the main stage work met expectations. The experiment was a complete success. Data analysis from the test indicates that the overall design of the i-Space JD-2 engine is reasonable and correct, and the working performance of each major component meets the requirements of overall design performance indicators. The JD-2 engine is a self-developed main engine for i-Space’s medium to large reusable liquid carrier rocket, codenamed SQX-3.

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(Source: i-Space)

The engine has a sea-level thrust of 85 tons and a vacuum thrust of 105 tons. The thrust can be adjusted within the range of 35% to 110%. The specific impulse is greater than 100. It incorporates technologies such as torch ignition, 3D printing, fully electric valves, and intelligent fault diagnosis. This engine is specifically designed for multi-engine parallel reusable rockets using liquid oxygen methane propellant. It is currently the domestically developed liquid oxygen methane rocket engine with the highest thrust and most advanced technology that has successfully completed testing and assessment.

After this test, the JD-2 engine will undergo intensive follow-up assessment tests such as thrust modulation, gimballing, long-range capability, multiple restarts, extreme deflection during flight, reliability, and reusability. These tests are conducted in accordance with the development plan to support the development of i-Space’s medium-to-large reusable liquid oxygen methane carrier rocket SQX-3.