Longyun (rocket engine)
Rocket engine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Longyun (Chinese: 龙云; pinyin: Lóngyún, lit. Dragon Clouds) is a gas-generator cycle rocket engine burning liquid methane and liquid oxygen developed by Jiuzhou Yunjian.
| Country of origin | China |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Jiuzhou Yunjian |
| Status | Active |
| Liquid-fuel engine | |
| Propellant | LOX / CH4 |
| Performance | |
| Thrust, vacuum | 770.2 kilonewtons (173,100 lbf) |
| Thrust, sea-level | 686.5 kilonewtons (154,300 lbf) |
| Throttle range | 30%~100% |
| Specific impulse, vacuum | 350s |
| Specific impulse, sea-level | 290s |
| Dimensions | |
| Dry mass | 880 kg (1,940 lb) |
| Used in | |
| Long March 12A | |
| References | |
| Notes | [1] |
History
In 2018, the gas generator test for the Longyun engine was completed.[2] The engine completed multiple start-up hot test runs in May 2021.[3] In October 2021, launch startup Rocket Pi signed a deal to use the Longyun engine to power its Darwin-1 reusable launch vehicle.[4]
Space Epoch conducted a ground test of a 4.2-meter stainless steel stage powered by the Longyun engine in January 2023.[5]
In April 2024, Longyun passed a long duration hot firing test with the servo mechanism rotating to the maximum angle of ±8°. The engine has also reportedly passed the customer acceptance test.[6]
On December 23, 2025 the Longyun-70 engines were used on the first flight of Long March 12A rocket. The rocket successfully deployed its payload, but an attempt to land its first stage failed.
