A Chinese spacecraft testing centre has completed the test firing of a newly-built high-altitude simulation test stand in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, China Space News reported.

According to Xinhua News Agency, this marked a breakthrough in terms of key technologies for the high-altitude simulation of the functioning of the main deceleration engine for China’s manned lunar landing spacecraft.

The test run assessed the compatibility of the engine with the stand which utilises advanced steam active ejector technology, according to the Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology, the system’s developer.

The test stand, featuring the largest steam ejector pump set in the country, is capable of simulating high-vacuum conditions during the engine’s full-window operation, which lasts for a thousand seconds.

Source: Emirates News Agency