China completes ignition test for powerful liquid-propellant engine

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠China successfully completed an ignition test on Sunday for its liquid-propellant engine with the highest thrust, according to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

This marks a new breakthrough in the country's liquid propulsion development. It is also the first-ever parallel ignition test of four large-thrust liquid oxygen (LOX) kerosene engines.

The 130-tonne class LOX kerosene engine, developed by the CASC, has a total thrust of over 500 tonnes. 

Compared to the currently operational 120-tonne class LOX kerosene engines, it boasts not only a larger thrust and better performance, but also a more compact structure, effectively enhancing the rocket's carrying capacity.

"The successful test assessed the coordination of the multi-engine operation of our system, and the operating reliability of the engines in extreme thermal and force environment. [The result] indicates that the engines are fully qualified to participate in [rocket launching] tests," said Li Bin, deputy head of the Academy of Aerospace Liquid Propulsion Technology under CASC.  

The engine used in this test was designed with the "pump back swing" technology, referring to an engine with a swing device at the rear. Compared with the main liquid oxygen kerosene engines currently in service, this kind of engine has a greater thrust, better performance, and a more compact structure. 

With the pump back swing technology, more engines can be set within the same rocket diameter, which can effectively improve rocket carrying capacity.  

"An engine with the pump back swing technology has a compact structure. For instance, we can place four engines within a diameter of 3.8 meters, and seven engines within a diameter of 5 meters," Li said. 

The parallel ignition test refers to the integration of four mature engine systems, working in unison rather than simply being bundled together. This approach provides a larger thrust for the rocket while also reducing the overall complexity of the system.

The successful trial run validates the coordination of multiple engines and their reliability in high thermal environments, demonstrating that the engines are fully capable of flight applications. 

After the test run, the engines will be delivered for rocket launching missions upon an engine check.

China completes ignition test for powerful liquid-propellant engine

Students in Gent, a city in the northwestern part of Belgium, are holding demonstrations on campus to mark the 76th anniversary of Nakba, the massive exodus of Palestinians that occurred in 1948 following the establishment of the state of Israel.

Protesters at Gent University and a number of universities across Europe and the U.S. have been calling on their institutions to sever ties with Israel over its war in Gaza.

The students used a bike parade to mark the Nakba anniversary, with the parade kicking off at the university's UFO building, a site that has been occupied by protesters since May 6.

In a direct action, over 100 Gent students occupied a university building to demand transparency regarding the university's ties to Israel.

Since Monday, more than 60 staff and faculty members have joined the students and set up tents in the building's lobby.

The university's rector Rik Van de Walle said he shared the concerns over the underlying problems in the region, but added that third party collaborators that the university works with are subject to a thorough human rights test.

Protests have been taking place across a number of universities in Belgium mirroring demonstrations that have engulfed some high-profile academic institutions in the U.S. over recent weeks.

And in the Netherlands, the University of Amsterdam has shut most of its campus buildings for two days citing security concerns following protests on Monday.

The occupation in Gent isn't just focused on the situation in Gaza. Students also asked for more concrete steps taken by the university when it comes to its 2030 climate action plans.

"We have clear demands with regards to our university committing to a sustainability plan, clear demands with regards to them cutting ties with Israeli institutions. And unless these demands are met, we are going to continue occupying," said Joelle, one of Gent Students for Palestine.

University officials said that some occupiers have been invited for a meeting with the rector.

For over a week, protesters have been sleeping on tents or on mattresses on the floor. Some people have banged on the windows or ripped down posters, but protesters said they are unmoved though they are missing sleep.

Students in Belgium combine Nakba observance with ongoing climate action occupation