| Country of origin | China |
|---|---|
| Designer | Academy of Aerospace Liquid Propulsion Technology |
| Associated LV | Long March 9 |
| Status | In development |
| Liquid-fuel engine | |
| Propellant | LOX / CH4 |
| Cycle | Full-flow staged combustion |
| Configuration | |
| Chamber | 1 |
| Performance | |
| Thrust, sea-level | 2,000 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 under development for the super-heavy launch vehicle Long March 9.
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]
A Long March 9 design reported in November 2024 proposed 30 YF-215 engines for its reusable first stage.[5]
See also
References
- C., Jack (20 September 2025). "China Expands Development Efforts for Full-Flow Rocket Engines". China in Space. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
- 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).
- 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.
- Jones, Andrew (27 November 2023). "China makes progress on Raptor-like engines for super heavy rocket". SpaceNews. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- Berger, Eric (4 November 2024). "China's long-term lunar plans now depend on developing its own Starship". Ars Technica. Retrieved 18 October 2026.