Jiuzhou Yunjian

JiuZhou Yunjian (Beijing) Space Technology Co., Ltd.
Native name
九州云箭(北京)空间科技有限公司
Company typePrivate
IndustryAerospace
Founded2017; 7 years ago (2017)
Headquarters,
China
Websitejzyjspace.com

Jiuzhou Yunjian (Chinese: 九州云箭; lit. 'China Cloud Arrow'), also known as JZYJ, is a Chinese rocket engine design and production startup based in Beijing.

Founded in 2017, the company specializes in methalox liquid rocket engines. Jiuzhou Yunjian aims to support the burgeoning commercial space sector in China by providing engine technologies for a variety of commercial space launch vehicles.[1]

History

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Jiuzhou Yunjian was established in 2017.[2] In 2018, the company successfully tested the gas-generator, ignitor, and valves for its Lingyun engine.[3] According to Chinese media and venture capital firms backing the company, Jiuzhou Yunjian aims to become China's equivalent of Aerojet Rocketdyne, a prominent American aerospace and defense company known for its rocket propulsion systems.[4][5]

In 2019, launch startup Linkspace signed a contract with Jiuzhou Yunjian to supply engines for their hopper test vehicles.[2]

Throughout 2021, the company conducted numerous hot fire tests of its Lingyun and Longyun engines. The same year, Jiuzhou Yunjian also signed a contract to provide engines for Rocket Pi's Darwin-1 reusable launch vehicle.[2] Additionally, Jiuzhou Yunjian raised more than 100 million RMB in a Series A funding round in 2021.[5][6]

In March 2024, Jiuzhou Yunjian delivered Longyun engines to a customer in flight-ready configuration for 10 km and 100 km hop tests.[7]

Products

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The company's notable products include the 10 tf (22,000 lbf) Lingyun and 70 tf (150,000 lbf) Longyun engines, which have been developed to enable deep throttling capabilities, multiple restarts, and long-duration firings essential for reusable launch vehicles.[2][8] In particular, the Lingyun engine is designed to power the first stage of launch vehicles, while the Longyun is used on the second stage.

Partnerships

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Jiuzhou Yunjian has partnered with multiple Chinese commercial launch providers to supply engines for their launch vehicles. In 2019, the company signed a contract with Linkspace to supply its Lingyun engine.[2]

In 2021, the company announced a collaboration with Rocket Pi to provide propulsion systems for the Darwin-1 reusable launch vehicle.[2]

In 2022, the state-owned space contractor Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) reportedly considered developing reusable launch vehicles with Jiuzhou Yunjian's engines, as evidenced by a paper published by SAST.[9]

Jiuzhou Yunjian partnered with Space Epoch to supply engines for a stainless-steel rocket in 2023.[10] Space Epoch has conducted tests on a stainless-steel propellant tank, which will be integrated with Jiuzhou Yunjian's Longyun-70 engine.

References

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  1. ^ "About Us JiuZhou Cloud Arrow (Beijing) Space Technology Co., Ltd". en.jzyjspace.com. Archived from the original on 15 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Jones, Andrew (31 October 2021). "New Chinese launch firm signs deal for reusable rocket engines". SpaceNews. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  3. ^ "火炬式电点火系统点火试验后,「九州云箭」"凌云"液体火箭发动机副系统通过长程试车考核". www.sohu.com (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 15 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  4. ^ "商业航天大航海时代,「九州云箭」对标Aerojet Rocketdyne助推民营火箭发展_液体动力". www.sohu.com (in Chinese (China)). Archived from the original on 2024-03-25. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  5. ^ a b "专注液氧甲烷火箭发动机制造,九州云箭完成过亿元A轮系列融资-36氪". 36kr.com. 36氪. 22 April 2021. Archived from the original on 25 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  6. ^ "专注液氧甲烷火箭发动机制造,九州云箭完成过亿元A轮系列融资_产品". www.sohu.com (in Chinese (China)). Archived from the original on 15 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  7. ^ "Next stop flight! Longyun engine calibration and testing before delivery". JiuZhou Cloud Arrow (Beijing) Space Technology Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on 2024-03-15. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
  8. ^ "Products JiuZhou Cloud Arrow (Beijing) Space Technology Co., Ltd". en.jzyjspace.com. Archived from the original on 15 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  9. ^ Jones, Andrew (18 September 2022). "Shanghai rocket maker considering developing huge methane-fueled rockets". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  10. ^ Berger, Eric (27 January 2023). "Rocket Report: NASA validates new engine design; Chinese firm tests mini Starship". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 15 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.