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Galactic Energy Aerospace Technology has stated that will developing
a larger liquid fuel launch vehicle, named Pallas-1.
The 42 metre high rocket will use kerosene and liquid oxygen propellant
and be capable of carrying a payload of up to four tonnes to low Earth orbit
(LEO) or two tonnes to 700 km altitude Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO).
The 3.35 diameter of the launcher is the same as many Long March vehicles,
developed by the main Chinese space programme contractor CASC, suggesting the
company has or will have access to such technology to assist its plans and development.
The addition of grid fins at the top of the first stage in the illustration
also hints at possible vertical landing and reusability plans.
Galactic
Energy Aerospace Technology Co. now has made a breakthrough in its Pallas-1
medium liquid-propellant reusable rocket.
The gas generator, which helps provide thrust to the rocket's 40-ton engine
that is powered by liquid oxygen and kerosene, has completed seven ignition
tests, with an accumulated operation time of 380 seconds, according to Galactic
Energy. The maximum single operation time lasted 100 seconds.
The company started developing the main rocket engine for the "Pallas" in December
2018, and it is the first Chinese rocket with engines that run of
VORTEX principle.
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The next iteration of rockets by
Galactic Energy will be a medium-lift orbital launch vehicle. The Pallas-1 utilizes
RP-1 and liquid oxygen (Kerolox) in the first stage. The first stage leverages
seven Welkin variable thrust engines, legs, and grid fins to allow recovery
by vertical landing.
The Welkin 40-ton liquid oxygen/kerosene engine
is testing in progress. On July 6, 2019, Galactic Energy disclosed completed
its first firing test of domestic liquid oxygen/kerosene engine key components.
The engine design includes a complex gas generator.
Recently, the independently developed Welkin liquid oxygen/kerosene engine large
range variable condition turbine pump components� delivery has been completed,
and hydraulic tests will be carried out in the near future.
Welkin liquid oxygen/kerosene engine is the main engine of Pallas-1, which can
be reused 50 times. As the heart of the engine, the turbine pump is the only
component with a high spinning speed. It consumes high-pressure gas to drive
the turbine, makes the pump to rotate at high speed and push the pressurized
oxidant and fuel from the tank to the thrust chamber.
The independently R&D Welkin liquid oxygen/kerosene engine large range variable
condition turbine pump is the first domestic double suction coaxial split turbine
pump, the structure forms of coaxial split (rigid shaft), liquid oxygen pump
double suction, turbine cantilever, membrane box seal and self-developed new
floating ring are adopted within. The innovative design significantly improves
the rotating speed, reduces the sealing pressure, improves the reliability,
and further simplifies the structure of the turbine pump.
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