Galactic Energy – one of the leading private Chinese aerospace companies, known for its Ceres-1 rockets and the development of the Pallas family of larger liquid-launched ballistic missiles, targeting the commercial launch market and large satellite constellations has completed its new liquid engine CQ-90 (Cangqiong-90), intended for the promising Pallas-2 launch vehicle.
Project and engine details
CQ-90 (Cangqiong-90) – this is a larger and more powerful liquid engine based on oxygen-extinguishing fuel (LOX/RP-1), the next step after the lower thrust engine, which is used in Pallas-1.
The engine is created for Pallas-2 – the next generation of missiles of the Pallas family, which are planned to be used to launch large payloads into low Earth orbit (LEO).
According to preliminary estimates of industry sources, CQ-90 will provide traction, significantly exceeding the parameters of the company's previous motors, which will allow Pallas-2 to become a medium- or heavy-class launch vehicle in the commercial segment of launches.
Test plans and prospects
Galactic Energy plans to begin hot-fire testing of the CQ-90 in 2026 year, to confirm the reliability of the power plant in real conditions. Successful tests will be a key step on the way to the integration of the engine into the design of Pallas-2 and further preparation of the rocket for the first flight.
If the tests are successful, this will provide the company with the opportunity to bring a more powerful medium to market, which will be able to compete in the segment of commercial launches, similar to foreign media.
Developing its own large liquid engine is not only a technological step forward for Galactic Energy, but also an indicator of the growing competences of China's private space sector in the field of complex rocket technologies. The transition from low-thrust engines to more powerful powerplants allows Chinese private companies to move toward launching heavier vehicles, which expands their opportunities in the international markets of space services.
Source: https://lookintothe.space