In a significant leap for the aerospace industry, researchers from the Chinese mainland have achieved a major breakthrough in the mass production of critical rocket components. Utilizing a domestically developed cryogenic forming technology, the team has drastically shortened manufacturing timelines, paving the way for greater efficiency in the country's rapidly expanding commercial space sector.
The innovation focuses on the production of bottom domes for rocket propellant tanks. In the world of aerospace, these components are vital; the pace of rocket production—and consequently, the frequency of satellite launches—is often limited by how quickly these propellant tanks can be manufactured.
Developed by a research team from the School of Mechanical Engineering at Dalian University of Technology, this internationally pioneering ultra-low-temperature forming technology allows for the mass production of tank bottoms exceeding two meters in diameter. The result is a precision-engineered component, approximately four millimeters thick, capable of withstanding extreme vibrations and the immense pressure of hundreds of tonnes of propellant during launch.
For years, the industry faced a difficult trade-off. Traditional welding methods often left joints that could compromise reliability, while integral machining led to significant material waste and slow production cycles. The new ultra-low-temperature forming system eliminates these bottlenecks. In collaboration with domestic aerospace firms, the team has established a production capacity of approximately 1,000 integrally formed "smooth-sheet" tank bottoms per year.
The efficiency gains are staggering. A process that previously took more than a week now takes only a few hours, representing a production cycle reduction of over 90%. Furthermore, the precision is world-class, with wall-thickness deviations kept under 0.3 millimeters, meeting the most stringent aerospace requirements.
The practical viability of this technology has already been proven in the field. These new tank bottoms have been successfully flight-tested on several missions, including the maiden voyage of the Long March-12 rocket and the more recent launch of the Long March-7A Y14 carrier rocket.
As China looks toward the future, this technological milestone is expected to lower costs and increase the capacity of its commercial space industry. This is particularly critical for supporting the high-frequency launch demands required for future satellite constellation projects, ensuring that the Chinese mainland remains at the forefront of global space exploration and connectivity.
Reference(s):
China speeds up key rocket component production with new technology
cgtn.com
