China's self-developed 50-ton LOX/LH2 (liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen) engine passed a 200-second hot-firing Sunday in Beijing, marking a significant progress China made in developing the sample of that type of engine.

The engine, undertaken by the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, has the biggest propulsion among those propelled with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. It incorporates in itself hi-tech, high performance, high liability, low cost, non-toxic and non-pollution.

The successful development of the engine will further push forward China's technology for liquid rocket engine.

The engine and the 120-ton LOX/kerosene engine, both basic propulsion units for China's new-generation carrier rockets, will play an important role in the nation's endeavor in satellite technology, deep-space exploration and manned space flight.

The Commission, mobilizing related institutions and corporations, started working on 50-ton LOX/LH2 engine five years ago.

Now they have completed the design and manufacturing of system and key components as well as related experiments and have mastered the technologies on a series of core components with breakthroughs made in 16 key techniques on ground test stand and 10 on engine.

(People's Daily January 17, 2006)