By Dr. Hsia Tungkun

July 19, 2019

In the new era of science and technology with “unprecedented changes in a century”, people have called for more leading innovations. At such a turning point, commercial aerospace industry has also achieved unprecedented rapid development. China’s commercial medium-size reusable rocket company, Galactic Energy, has just delivered a message which will bring more hope to this industry.

Being reusable is the future. Who’s working on a Chinese version of Falcon 9?

PALLAS-1 Engine

Credit: Galactic Energy

On July 6, Galactic Energy has successfully completed its first firing test of domestic liquid oxygen/kerosene engine key components – Multiple Counterflow Vortex Unique Configuration Gas Generator. The gas generator enables combustion of about 4% of the engine’s propellant in the rich combustion state, and ejects high temperature and high pressure gas (smoke) to provide work medium to the turbo-pump of the engine.

As the main power source for PALLAS-1, the reusable medium liquid propellant launch vehicle , the success of the gas generator test means that the development of the Chinese version of Falcon 9 has taken a solid step, and its rocket technology has reached advanced level in China.

Five independent innovations light up the future using Chinese technology by Galactic Energy!

A total of 7 ignition tests were carried out to prove out the technology.  A total test time of 380 seconds and a maximum operating time of 100s. The propellant flow range was 3.2kg/s-7.8kg/s, mixing ratio was 0.3-0.5 and chamber pressure was 4mpa-8mpa, covering all operating conditions of the engine at 4:1 deep throttling. The preliminary analysis of test data shows that the gas generator starts and shuts down normally, the test data is consistent with the preset value, and the outlet flame is stable. The maximum characteristic velocity efficiency of the test is close to 100%, the temperature uniformity of export exhaust is ≤±28℃.There is no start temperature peak, the chamber pressure pulsation is ≤±3%, and the axial, radial and tangent comprehensive acceleration is ≤30g, all the parameters reached the international advanced level. After the test, the product is in good condition and the test is a complete success.

Credit: Galactic Energy

Without being restricted by traditional technology, Galactic Energy designed a disruptive innovation– “multi-reflux vortex profile-type gas generator”, which has five new features:

1.Independently developed the heat transfer and combustion integrated calculation simulation software, optimized the impact atomization parameters of low-temperature liquid oxygen and normal temperature kerosene, and formed an efficient atomization mixing effect through hundreds groups of like-on-like nozzles and peripheral cooling design

2. Adopting the patented technology of the company, a unique turbulent ring is designed to form multiple backflow zones inside the generator and significantly improved the mixing and combustion efficiency;

3. Innovatively designed the spherical and conical shaped body structure to precisely control the generation and failure of backflow vortex and enhance the uniformity of outlet exhaust temperature (≤±30℃);

4. In order to meet the requirements of variable thrust and 50 times reuse of the engine, the gas generator adopts a wide range of multi-condition adaptive design, and novel protection measures are adopted for the cooling of the injection surface and body, which extends the working life and is suitable for reuse.

5. Different from the traditional igniter head center layout, Galactic Energy adopts the innovative radial layout, which improves the ignition reliability and can increase the ignition times to more than 5 times.

With inventive mind, accumulation of innovation and efficient iteration of technological breakthroughs, Galactic Energy is constantly refreshing people’s understanding of private rockets, and has attracted great attention by the industry.

It is understood that the gas generator, turbo-pump and thrust chamber design have been completed by the reuse of medium liquid carrier rocket engine of PALLAS-1.  Gas generator ground tests have verified the gas generator plan, determined the product technical state. The tested products will be directly used in the subsequent gas generator, the turbo-pump half system test and Engine full system test, which will is an attempt to significantly accelerate the liquid rocket development process.

Next Steps for Galactic Energy

Well funded start up companies are popping up globally in the space arena. As China’s space program becomes more ambitious, China will continue to encourage new start up companies like Galactic Energy that are seeking to redefine the space market. These new companies with the proper funding and support can rival the established traditional companies, both in China and and globally.

Galactic Energy is growing and continues to be funded. The plan is to launch it’s first commercial rockets by 2020 while still developing more complex technologies required for larger. A demonstration launch is being targeted for a medium lift, reusable booster capable of placing up to 4 tons is planned in 2022.