YF-215

YF-215
Country of originChina
DesignerAcademy of Aerospace Liquid Propulsion Technology
Associated LVLong March 9
StatusIn development
Liquid-fuel engine
PropellantLOX / CH4
CycleFull-flow staged combustion
Configuration
Chamber1
Performance
Thrust, sea-level2,000 kilonewtons (450,000 lbf)

The YF-215 is a methalox rocket engine (burning liquid methane and liquid oxygen) in a full-flow staged combustion cycle (FFSC). The engine is currently under development, with 26 engines intended to power the first stage of the super-heavy launch vehicle Long March 9. It is the first FFSC engine tested by the Chinese space program, static-fired in May 2023, followed by LandSpace's BF-20 in May 2025.

History

The Academy of Aerospace Liquid Propulsion Technology began studies of a 200-tonne-class liquid oxygen/methane engine around 2010, with the full-flow staged combustion configuration selected and the overall design finalized around 2022.[1] A 2023 paper from the institute described a sea-level thrust of 2,000 kN (450,000 lbf) and a chamber pressure of 25 MPa (3,600 psi).[2]

A successful ignition test of the engine's gas generator was conducted on 12 May 2023 at the Baolongyu test centre near Xi'an.[3][4] Sub-scale testing of igniters, gas generators, and thrust chamber components concluded by mid-2024, and a partial test of a complete engine was reported in the second half of 2025.[1][5] Long March designer Long Lehao subsequently stated that the engine had completed technical verification and accumulated roughly a thousand seconds of test firings.[6]

Under the current Long March 9 design, a cluster of 30 YF-215 engines would power the reusable first stage, with additional engines on the second stage.[5][7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 C., Jack (20 September 2025). "China Expands Development Efforts for Full-Flow Rocket Engines". China in Space. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  2. ↑ Gao, Yushan; Zhang, Xiaojun; Xing, Lixiang; Wu, Xiaoxin; Zhang, Hang (2023). "我国液氧甲烷发动机技术发展概述" [Overview of the Development of China's Liquid Oxygen/Methane Engine Technology]. 中国航天 (Aerospace China) (in Chinese) (5).
  3. ↑ Beil, Adrian (17 May 2023). "Beidou-3 G4 gets launched and Chinese Raptor gets tested, as it receives its own name". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  4. ↑ Jones, Andrew (27 November 2023). "China makes progress on Raptor-like engines for super heavy rocket". SpaceNews. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  5. 1 2 C., Jack (26 April 2026). "Groundbreaking Begins for Long March 9's Wenchang Base". China in Space. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  6. ↑ "龙乐豪：长征九号将于年底立项 YF-215已完成技术验证并进行了长达千秒的试车". Guancha (in Chinese). Retrieved 3 August 2026.
  7. ↑ Jones, Andrew (November 2024). "China's new rocket for crew and moon to launch in 2026". SpaceNews. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
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