China's first commercial spaceport in Hainan Province has unveiled a cutting-edge cooling system during its latest launch, marking a leap forward in enhancing launch efficiency and infrastructure resilience. The Long March-8 Y6 rocket successfully carried 18 low Earth orbit satellites into space early Wednesday, marking the first mission from the site's No. 1 pad. This follows the No. 2 pad's inaugural launch in November 2024, solidifying the spaceport's dual-pad readiness for future commercial and scientific missions.
The newly deployed "high-pressure water spray system"—a core innovation at the No. 1 pad—addresses critical challenges in rocket launches. Designed to protect equipment from exhaust flames reaching 3,000°C and reduce engine noise, the system uses three 300-cubic-meter tanks: one storing water and two containing high-pressure gas. The gas propels water through underground conduits to a deflector device, cooling the launch area and safeguarding rocket components.
Engineer Zhang Guodong of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation explained: "The system's ground-level tanks and doubled pressure compared to traditional setups improve operational flexibility. Hundreds of drainage holes and spray nozzles further mitigate heat and noise, ensuring a 10-decibel noise reduction to protect sensitive rocket parts."
The modular steel structure of the No. 1 pad also supports rapid reusability, enabling a seven-day launch-and-reset cycle. This efficiency is pivotal as demand surges for cost-effective satellite deployment. Analysts highlight the system's potential to accelerate China's commercial space ambitions, aligning with global trends toward reusable launch infrastructure.
With Hainan's spaceport now fully operational, stakeholders anticipate expanded opportunities in telecommunications, Earth observation, and scientific research, positioning China as a competitive player in the global commercial space industry.
