China has successfully completed testing of a powerful 140-tonne reusable liquid oxygen-methane engine, marking a significant milestone in its space technology development. The engine, developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation's propulsion research team, is designed to support reusable carrier rockets and advance future space-Earth transportation systems.
The achievement, announced on Tuesday, highlights China’s growing capabilities in heavy-lift rocket engineering. The engine now holds the record for the highest thrust among the country’s open-cycle liquid oxygen-methane engines and was developed in just seven months – a testament to accelerated innovation in its aerospace sector.
This breakthrough follows December 2024’s successful test of a 90-tonne reusable liquid oxygen-kerosene engine designed for commercial spacecraft. The commercial space industry, formally recognized in China’s 2024 government work report as a “new engine of economic growth,” is poised to drive technological and industrial advancements.
Looking ahead, researchers plan to develop even more powerful 200-tonne-class engines, further solidifying China’s role in shaping the next generation of sustainable space exploration and transportation infrastructure.
