TH-11

{{Short description|Rocket engine}}

{{infobox rocket engine

|name = TH-11

|image =

|image_size =

|caption =

|country_of_origin = China

|date =

|first_date =

|last_date =

|designer =

|manufacturer = Space Pioneer

|purpose =

|associated =

|predecessor =

|successor =

|status = Active

|type = Liquid

|oxidiser = LOX

|fuel = RP-1

|mixture_ratio =

|cycle = Oxidizer-rich staged combustion cycle

|pumps =

|description =

|combustion_chamber=

|nozzle_ratio =

|thrust =

|thrust_at_altitude=

|thrust(Vac) = {{convert|300|kN|lbf|lk=on}}

|thrust(SL) = {{convert|257|kN|lbf|lk=on}}

|thrust_to_weight= 130

|throttle_range = 50%~110%

|chamber_pressure= {{convert|10|MPa|abbr=on}}

|specific_impulse=

|specific_impulse_vacuum= 340.6s

|specific_impulse_sea_level= 291.8s

|total_impulse =

|burn_time =

|gimbal =

|capacity =

|dimensions =

|length =

|diameter =

|dry_weight =

|used_in = Tianlong-2

|notes = {{cite web |title=天火-11 - 天火系列发动机 - 天兵科技 |url=http://www.spacepioneer.cc/tianhuo/TH11 |website=www.spacepioneer.cc |publisher=Space Pioneer |access-date=13 April 2023}}

}}

The TH-11 ({{zh|s=天火-11|p=Tiānhuǒ-11}}, lit. Sky Fire 11) is an oxidizer-rich staged combustion cycle rocket engine burning LOX and kerosene developed by Space Pioneer. The TH-11 engine features a reusable design, staged combustion cycle, wide usage of 3D printed components (>80%), and short development time, making it a notable achievement within the Chinese commercial space industry.{{cite web |title=天兵科技液体火箭发动机全系统热试车圆满成功,突破我国航天多项首创技术 |url=https://finance.sina.cn/tech/2021-06-01/detail-ikmyaawc8706782.d.html |website=finance.sina.cn |publisher=Sina |access-date=13 April 2023 |date=1 June 2021}}

History

Space Pioneer proposed the TH-11 engine for its Tianlong-2 launch vehicle. Full-system hot-fire tests were completed in June 2021. The Tianlong-2 rocket successfully completed its maiden flight on April 2, 2023, achieving the targeted orbit. Powered by a single Tianhuo-11 engine in its second stage, this launch marked the engine's operational debut.{{cite web |last1=Beil |first1=Adrian |title=Chinese Tianlong-2 successfully debuts from Jiuquan |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/04/tianlong-2-debut/ |website=NASASpaceFlight.com |access-date=13 April 2023 |date=7 April 2023}}

References