深蓝航天 Deep Blue Limited – Deep Blue Aerospace One of sixty Chinese private space Carrier Rocket Companies in China-People’s Republic of China… As many of sixty plus Private Rocket Deep Blue Aerospace Co., Ltd. was established in 2017. The company is mainly a high-tech aerospace enterprise that focuses on the direction of liquid recovery and reusable launch vehicles and provides users with commercial launch services. Deep Blue Aerospace Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Nantong City, Jiangsu Province. At the same time, the company has rocket general and liquid engine R&D centers in Yizhuang, Beijing and Xi’an, Shaanxi, respectively, and a rocket power system test base in Tongchuan, Shaanxi…..
Recently this month of June July 2023 , the separation test of the fairing of the “Xingyun-1” liquid recyclable and reusable launch vehicle of Shenlan Aerospace was a complete success. This is the first test in China to use a non-pyrotechnic connection unlocking mechanism to separate the fairing. In order to fully verify the separation state of the fairing under different deviations, Deep Blue Aerospace has conducted many experiments on this round, all of which use the self-developed non-pyrotechnic connection unlocking mechanism. The separation timing of the test is correct, which is basically consistent with the simulation results. No damage occurred in
This round of separation tests was completed in the Deep Blue Aerospace Nantong rocket assembly base, and the fairing was completely recovered after multiple tests. The main technical indicators of this round of fairing separation test have been completed:
This round of tests used the same set of connection and unlocking mechanisms to complete multiple separation tests within three days, verifying the reusability and rapid response capabilities of the self-developed non-pyrotechnic connection and unlocking mechanism, which is the first time in domestic fairing separation tests.
This round of fairing separation test is one of the phase tests before the first flight of the “Xingyun-1” liquid reusable launch vehicle. The success of this round of tests will pave the way for the first flight of the “Xingyun-1” rocket in 2024 established a solid foundation.
Why did the rocket separate the fairing? The launch vehicle will encounter harsh environments during flight. The fairing protects the satellite load from aerodynamic force and aerodynamic heat, and also reduces the aerodynamic resistance of the launch vehicle during flight. After leaving the atmosphere, the launch vehicle is no longer affected by aerodynamics, and throwing away the fairing helps to increase the rocket’s carrying capacity.
深蓝航天 Deep Blue Limited – Deep Blue Aerospace One of sixty Chinese private space Carrier Rocket Companies in China-People’s Republic of China… As many of sixty plus Private Rocket Deep Blue Aerospace Co., Ltd. was established in 2017. The company is mainly a high-tech aerospace enterprise that focuses on the direction of liquid recovery and reusable launch vehicles and provides users with commercial launch services. Deep Blue Aerospace Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Nantong City, Jiangsu Province. At the same time, the company has rocket general and liquid engine R&D centers in Yizhuang, Beijing and Xi’an, Shaanxi, respectively, and a rocket power system test base in Tongchuan, Shaanxi…..
The current round of “Thunder-R1” engine and subsequent series of tests will accumulate a large amount of data for the power system test run, and will also be the first high-altitude vertical recovery flight test of the first sub-stage of the “Xingyun-1” rocket, and the first stage of orbit + recovery. Fly on a solid foundation. In the follow-up, the test station will continue to carry out the normalized test run assessment of the engine to ensure the smooth implementation of the vertical recovery test of the first sub-stage of the “Xingyun-1” rocket.
Deep Blue Aerospace’s new power test base has been put into use , and the advantages of the new test stand are prominent. “Thunder-R1” engine test live highlights. The performance of the assembly and other components has been improved, and a series of important optimization improvements have been made in the layout of the final assembly, creating a more solid power foundation for the vertical recovery and reuse of the rocket. During the test run, the engine was ignited, started, and shut down according to the predetermined procedures. The test process was in good condition, the measurement parameters were complete and accurate, and all indicators met the design requirements. The whole machine test run is an important means to assess the coordination of the various components of the engine and to obtain the working parameters of the engine in simulated real working conditions. This round of complete machine test run is the test bench test run of the new test bench of Shenlan Aerospace’s new power test base. Combining the completed components and semi-system test bench test run, the success of the test bench test marks the first vertical test bench of Deep Blue Aerospace. It has the ability to test the whole process of rocket engine development, which is an important milestone in the construction of the power test base.
The new power test base is put into use, and the advantages of the new test stand are highlighted
The engine products in this round of tests have fully inherited the scheme of multiple starts, ignition and shutdown, and have improved the performance of turbo pumps, combustion devices and other components. Repeated use creates a more solid power base. During the test run, the engine was ignited, started, and shut down according to the predetermined procedures. The test process was in good condition, the measurement parameters were complete and accurate, and all indicators met the design requirements.
Live highlights of deep blue aerospace “Thunder-R1” engine test run from April to June 2023
The test run of the whole machine is an important means to assess the coordination of the various components of the engine and to obtain the working parameters of the engine in simulated real working conditions. This round of complete machine test run is the test bench test run of the new test bench of Shenlan Aerospace’s new power test base. Combining the completed components and semi-system test bench test run, the success of the test bench test marks the first vertical test bench of Deep Blue Aerospace. It has the ability to test the whole process of rocket engine development, which is an important milestone in the construction of the power test base.
The new version of the engine is tested and the new flight is ready to race against time
” Thunder-R1″ reusable engine is the first open-cycle liquid oxygen kerosene pintle engine in China, with a thrust adjustment capability of 30%~110%, following the principle of “redundant power system, industrialized low-cost manufacturing”, The “9+1” mode is adopted, that is, the first sub-stage of the rocket is connected with 9 basic engines in parallel, and the second sub-stage is equipped with a vacuum type engine, so as to send the payload of the rocket into the predetermined orbit and realize the vertical recovery of the first sub-stage.
In terms of general assembly layout, the new version of the “Thunder-R1” engine adopts the “pump back swing” method, which greatly reduces the engine swing moment in terms of swing angle and flexibility, significantly reduces the envelope size, and makes the layout more compact. The main components including combustion devices, turbo pumps, valves, etc. are all independently developed. The key components of the engine, such as thrust chambers, gas generators, turbo pumps, and large-diameter conduits, are manufactured using 3D printing additive manufacturing technology, which greatly reduces the number of engine components and effectively controls the influence of human factors in the production process, shortening the production process. the production cycle.
Through the bold use of new processes and adoption of new technologies, Deep Blue Aerospace has established a mass rapid production capacity of liquid rocket engines based on its own characteristics, and has achieved rapid iteration through continuous testing to feed back design and optimization improvements. It is the goal of Deep Blue Aerospace to establish a high-reliability, low-cost, and reusable liquid oxygen kerosene engine design, manufacturing, and testing of the entire process, which can effectively support the high-frequency, low-cost large-scale commercialization of launch vehicles. .
Next, Deep Blue Aerospace will carry out a series of tests such as the three-time ignition of the “Thunder-R1” engine, working condition deviation, and reliability verification, as well as a high-altitude vertical recovery flight test of the first sub-stage of the “Xingyun-1” rocket.
深蓝航天 Deep Blue Limited – Deep Blue Aerospace One of sixty Chinese private space Carrier Rocket Companies in China-People’s Republic of China… As many of sixty plus Private Rocket Deep Blue Aerospace Co., Ltd. was established in 2017. The company is mainly a high-tech aerospace enterprise that focuses on the direction of liquid recovery and reusable launch vehicles and provides users with commercial launch services. Deep Blue Aerospace Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Nantong City, Jiangsu Province. At the same time, the company has rocket general and liquid engine R&D centers in Yizhuang, Beijing and Xi’an, Shaanxi, respectively, and a rocket power system test base in Tongchuan, Shaanxi…..
This is a report from DeepBlue Aerospace’s 2022 annual summary report. We are determined to become a promoter of the space transportation industry with small steps and rapid iterations. We are determined to become a promoter of the space transportation industry. The strategic vision is to build a nebula and go to the vast space dream…
Space ambitions, one step closer, Deep Blue Aerospace’s reusable and reusable rocket “Xingyun-1” launch promotional video officially launched…..
The footprint continues to expand, and the exploration never stops. The Deep Blue Aerospace team, which has won many awards in recent years, has actively responded to the deployment of the development of the aerospace industry in the overall national development strategy, continuously innovated the technology of recyclable launch vehicles, further increased investment, accelerated the progress of research and development, and strengthened innovation in scientific and technological management. Promoter of the space transportation industry, striving to become a powerful supplement to China’s aerospace industry.
In order to promote scientific and technological self-reliance and create a good atmosphere for innovation and entrepreneurship, Nantong City launched the “2022 Create Youth Nantong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition and ‘Let the Nation See You’ Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Project Roadshow (Nantong Station)” to further stimulate the vitality of innovation and entrepreneurship among young people.
深蓝航天 Deep Blue Limited – Deep Blue Aerospace One of sixty Chinese private space Carrier Rocket Companies in China-People’s Republic of China… As many of sixty plus Private Rocket Deep Blue Aerospace Co., Ltd. was established in 2017. The company is mainly a high-tech aerospace enterprise that focuses on the direction of liquid recovery and reusable launch vehicles and provides users with commercial launch services. Deep Blue Aerospace Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Nantong City, Jiangsu Province. At the same time, the company has rocket general and liquid engine R&D centers in Yizhuang, Beijing and Xi’an, Shaanxi, respectively, and a rocket power system test base in Tongchuan, Shaanxi…..
The reusable and reusable launch vehicle project is the core project developed by Deep Blue Aerospace, focusing on the research and development of liquid recyclable launch vehicles and the provision of commercial launch services, integrating scientific research, production, testing and launch services. The “Nebula” series of launch vehicles independently developed by Deep Blue Aerospace chose the liquid oxygen kerosene fuel system with higher technical maturity.
Deep Blue Aerospace Kilometre-scale VTVL Vertical Recovery Flight Test
Deep Blue Aerospace’s flagship product “Nebula” series includes “Nebula-1” small and medium-sized liquid launch vehicle, “Nebula-1H” medium and large liquid launch vehicle; the supporting “Thunder” series of liquid rocket engines are respectively “Thunder-R1” Liquid oxygen kerosene engine and “Thunder-R2” liquid oxygen kerosene engine. Deep Blue Aerospace has greatly reduced the cost of rocket launch services and improved launch service capabilities through the vertical recovery and reuse of the first sub-stage of the “Nebula” series of launch vehicles.
On May 6, 2022, Deep Blue Aerospace successfully completed the kilometer-level high-altitude vertical take-off and landing recovery flight test, becoming the second company in the world to complete all low-altitude engineering tests for the vertical recovery and reuse of liquid oxygen kerosene rockets (the first was SpaceX in the United States. ). On June 29, 2022, the test run of Deep Blue Aerospace’s 20-ton liquid oxygen kerosene engine “Thunder-R1” was a complete success.
The footprint continues to expand, and the exploration never stops. The Deep Blue Aerospace team, which has won many awards in recent years, has actively responded to the deployment of the development of the aerospace industry in the overall national development strategy, continuously innovated the technology of recyclable launch vehicles, further increased investment, accelerated the progress of research and development, and strengthened innovation in scientific and technological management. Promoter of the space transportation industry, striving to become a powerful supplement to China’s aerospace industry.
深蓝航天 Deep Blue Limited – Deep Blue Aerospace One of sixty Chinese private space Carrier Rocket Companies in China-People’s Republic of China… As many of sixty plus Private Rocket Deep Blue Aerospace Co., Ltd. was established in 2017. The company is mainly a high-tech aerospace enterprise that focuses on the direction of liquid recovery and reusable launch vehicles and provides users with commercial launch services. Deep Blue Aerospace Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Nantong City, Jiangsu Province. At the same time, the company has rocket general and liquid engine R&D centers in Yizhuang, Beijing and Xi’an, Shaanxi, respectively, and a rocket power system test base in Tongchuan, Shaanxi…..
On May 6, 2022, the “Nebula-M” test rocket independently developed by DeepBlue Aerospace completed a 1-kilometer vertical take-off and landing flight test. It has climbed to a new height and is a solid step closer to the successful realization of orbit and recovery
Deep Blue Aerospace’s third-hand “Nebula-M” rocket completes the flight recovery mission On May 6, 2022, the “Nebula-M” No. 1 test rocket independently developed by DeepBlue Aerospace completed a 1-kilometer vertical take-off and landing (VTVL) flight test, and the rocket moved laterally during the process of climbing and falling. , and finally landed to a point less than 0.5 meters from the “bull’s eye” position of the landing site, and the “Nebula-M” test arrow was successfully recovered.
The arrow body used in this Kilometer-level test is still the “Nebula-M” No. 1 test arrow, which has performed 3 flight missions and 7 ground static ignitions, truly realizing the recyclability and reuse of liquid launch vehicles ; its The equipped “Thunder-5” engine is the first needle-bolt-type liquid oxygen kerosene engine to be manufactured using 3D printing technology in China. The completion of this mission announced that Deep Blue Aerospace has climbed to a new height in the history of China’s reusable and reusable rockets, and has taken a solid step towards the successful realization of orbit and recovery.
Pictured: “Nebula-M” kilometer-level VTVL vertical recovery flight test
From July to October 2021, the “Nebula-M” test rocket has successively completed the 10-meter and 100-meter VTVL vertical recovery flight tests, achieving two zero breakthroughs in domestic liquid oxygen and kerosene rockets. In May 2022, the same rocket once again refreshed a new test height. Deep Blue Aerospace has become the fastest Chinese commercial aerospace company in the world outside the United States to develop and recycle rockets.
Pictured: “Nebula-M” kilometer-level VTVL vertical recovery flight test
This kilometer-level VTVL vertical recovery flight test marks that Deep Blue Aerospace achieved the same level of test results achieved in 2012-2013 with 8 launch tests in more than a year in only 10 months and 3 launch tests. Deep Blue Aerospace has become the second company in the world to complete all low-altitude engineering tests for vertical recovery and reuse of liquid oxygen and kerosene rockets (the first being SpaceX in the United States).
Kilometer -level VTVL vertical recovery flight test broke many domestic records…
The “Nebula-M” kilometer-level VTVL vertical recovery flight test has four technical highlights:
Significant reduction in flight test costs
Under the premise of realizing the vertical recovery of the full arrow, the cost of re-flying the mission is only about 1% of the cost of the production and manufacturing of the arrow body, including the replacement of some wear and tear parts, the test and maintenance cost of the whole arrow, and the propellant cost;
Longer working time for a single ignition
Compared with the 100-meter-level test, the kilometer-level VTVL vertical recovery flight test has greatly improved the working time of a single ignition of the engine, which is closer to the working time of a single-stage engine of an orbiting rocket. Different from the state of the ground test, this time the stability of the large-scale thrust change and long-range work of the engine is assessed in the real flight environment, which has more authenticity and practical significance in engineering development;
Application of Lateral Guidance Algorithm
In this kilometer-level test, during the vertical takeoff-vertical landing flight process, a lateral guidance algorithm was added, the coordinates of the target point were pre-booked, and the computer on the rocket carried out calculation and planning, issued lateral guidance commands, and guided the rocket to the target coordinates. Transverse, carry out the verification of the rocket’s off-site return and recovery technology, and carry out preliminary technical verification for the off-site return and reuse of the rockets entering orbit, and intercontinental travel, etc.;
Breakthroughs in multiple coefficients of the kilometer-level VTVL vertical recovery flight test
In this kilometer-level VTVL vertical recovery flight test, the flight speed reached 0.2Ma and the flight altitude reached 1 km. This is the vertical recovery flight test with the highest flight altitude, fastest flight speed and longest flight time in China.
Through this flight test, the aerodynamic problems of the rocket body in the vertical recovery process of the rocket, as well as the long-term mechanical heat and vibration environment adaptability, the engine’s long-term and large-scale thrust change ability, and the reusable arrow are further verified. Key core technologies such as body structure and landing buffer device, lateral guidance and attitude control capabilities have laid a solid foundation for the subsequent 10-kilometer-level vertical recovery and orbit-level recovery.
Huo Liang, CEO of Deep Blue
The success of Deep Blue Aerospace’s “Nebula-M” rocket kilometer-level VTVL vertical recovery flight test also announced that the low-altitude recovery stage has come to a successful end, and the “Nebula-M” 1 test rocket has successfully completed its historical mission. In the next stage, Deep Blue Aerospace will use the same full-scale test rocket as the orbiting rocket to continue the high-altitude recovery test stage (similar to the recovery test carried out by SpaceX’s second stage using the full-scale prototype “Falcon 9 R”), It will make rapid breakthroughs towards the height of 10km and 100km, and finally realize the controllable recovery and reuse of the first sub-stage of the orbiting rocket.
Pictured: “Nebula-M” kilometer-level VTVL vertical recovery flight test
In 2021, the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations (Vienna) submitted a note verbale to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and released information that the satellites launched by the US Starlink plan had approached the Chinese space station twice, and this behavior had a negative impact on the life and health of the astronauts built by the Chinese space station. threaten. For safety reasons, the Chinese space station complex has implemented two “emergency collision avoidance” measures against the relevant US satellites. However, the key to these problems is that the number of satellite launches planned by Starlink far exceeds that of China. As of March 2022, Starlink plans to launch more than 2,000 satellites, and the only way to achieve such a large number of satellite launches is to reduce the launch cost of rockets and increase the frequency of launches to be realized.
Low-cost recyclable rockets have become the only way to develop future launch vehicles. With rapid overhaul, relaunch, successful recovery, and rapid iteration, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 ranks among the world’s rocket echelons. Up to now, SpaceX’s flight data: 95 rocket reuse flights, 118 rocket landings, and the take-off stage of a single carrier rocket can be reused up to 12 times.
On April 16, 2022 From the construction of space infrastructure to the completion and opening of the Beidou global satellite navigation system, from the successful conclusion of the “three-step” lunar exploration project to the “Tianwen-1” crossing the Earth-Moon system to start the Mars exploration journey… Countless brilliant achievements are in It continues to prove that China is making progress towards becoming a “space power”.
As a commercial aerospace enterprise, Deep Blue Aerospace actively responded to the country’s strategic deployment of the aerospace industry, anchored the goal of rocket recycling and reuse, and never wavered or changed the direction of research and development.
