China has successfully tested a satellite engine with a record-breaking operating time, marking a significant advancement in propulsion technology that could enhance the deployment of large communications, military, and deep-space satellites. Developed by the China Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology in Xian, the upgraded engine generated 750 newtons of thrust and operated continuously for more than 14 hours during ground testing, surpassing its initial design goal of nearly 10 hours.

The engine's maiden flight took place in late June, during which it fired for a total of 11,617 seconds—approximately 3.2 hours—across five orbit-raising maneuvers to place the Communications Technology Experiment Satellite 26A into its geostationary orbit about 35,800 kilometers above Earth. This duration is significantly longer than the typical seven-hour operating life of leading satellite engines currently in use, such as the US-made R-42DM and Europe’s Leros-1B.

In addition to its extended operating time, the Chinese engine achieved a specific impulse of 320 seconds during the mission, a key indicator of propellant efficiency. This performance level is comparable to the best chemical satellite engines developed by the United States, Europe, and Japan, according to Chinese reports.

The engine’s durability is attributed to a novel heat- and oxidation-resistant coating, which allowed for prolonged operation without compromising thrust efficiency. Analysts noted that the new propulsion system not only offers reliable satellite maneuvering capabilities but also represents a milestone in China’s evolution from a technology follower to a leader in high-thrust satellite propulsion.

China’s efforts to develop indigenous satellite engines date back to the 1980s, a period when foreign embargoes restricted access to crucial propulsion technologies. Early Chinese spacecraft had to rely on orbit-raising engines developed domestically, culminating in the successful flight of the first 490-newton orbit-raising engine aboard the Dong Fang Hong-3 satellite in 1994. By 2021, this engine had supported multiple critical missions, including China’s inaugural lunar probe and the recovery of ChinaSat 9A, which required ten orbit-raising maneuvers after a launch anomaly in 2017.

With the increasing size and complexity of satellites, orbit-raising engines have needed to perform more frequent and longer burns. The newer 750-newton engine is expected to reduce orbit-raising time by about 30 percent for large spacecraft, conserving fuel for extended operational lifespans and enabling more rapid deployment of military and communications satellites when required.

Looking ahead, China has already begun developing more powerful engines, including a 5,000-newton model intended for possible applications such as space tugs and large-scale spacecraft, aligning with similar initiatives pursued in the United States and Europe.