China Tests Record-Breaking Satellite Engine, Surpassing US and European Counterparts

In late June, the China Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology in Xian launched the maiden flight of an upgraded satellite engine that set a new record for continuous operation. The engine fired for 11,617 seconds (?3.2 hours) across five orbit-raising manoeuvres, delivering the Communications Technology Experiment Satellite 26A to a geostationary transfer orbit at roughly 35,800 km (22,000 miles) altitude. Though designed for a nominal 10-hour burn, the engine sustained thrust for more than 14 hours, enabled by a novel heat- and oxidation-resistant coating.

South China Morning Post

The test addresses a long-standing limitation of existing propulsion systems, which typically provide only about seven hours of total burn time for orbit insertion. By extending the operational window, the engine could accelerate the placement of large communications, military and deep-space spacecraft into their final orbits. The development underscores a focus on enhancing satellite propulsion capabilities.

South China Morning Post

The engine delivers 750 newtons of thrust and incorporates a novel coating described as heat- and oxidation-resistant. This material protects critical components from the extreme temperatures generated during prolonged burns, allowing the propulsion system to operate without performance degradation. Chinese media reports attribute the engine’s ability to exceed its design life to this coating, which maintained structural integrity throughout the extended test period.

South China Morning Post

Key figures: thrust 750 N; designed for ~10 h operation; tested for >14 h; total burn 11,617 s across five manoeuvres; satellite placed at 35,800 km altitude; five discrete burns contributed to the cumulative duration.

South China Morning Post

Current leading orbit-raising engines, such as the US-made R-42DM and Europe’s Leros-1B, are typically limited to about seven hours of total burn time. The Chinese engine’s tested duration exceeds this benchmark by roughly seven hours, offering a potential efficiency advantage for heavy payloads that require extended thrust periods.

South China Morning Post

The extended burn capability could enable faster, more reliable insertion of large communications, military and deep-space missions, reflecting the engine’s claimed ability to place spacecraft into orbit more quickly. If applied to operational missions, the technology may reduce the time required to achieve final orbit, supporting more efficient satellite deployment. The longer thrust period also suggests potential reductions in the number of separate propulsion events needed for orbit raising.

South China Morning Post

Chinese media reported that the engine’s performance “did not come at the expense of performance,” emphasizing that the prolonged operation was achieved without loss of thrust or efficiency. The reports highlighted the successful integration of the novel heat-resistant coating as a decisive factor in the test’s outcome.

South China Morning Post

The article provides no independent verification or external expert commentary on the test results. Details such as the exact composition of the coating, long-term durability, and plans for operational deployment remain undisclosed, leaving the broader aerospace community without corroborating data.

South China Morning Post