The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, which opened Tuesday in Zhuhai City of south China's Guangdong Province, showcases several advanced liquid-propellant rocket engines that promise to shape the future of space exploration.
Among the highlights is an 80-ton reusable liquid oxygen-methane engine, which stands out for its economic viability and potential for extensive application in reusable rocket designs. The efficiency of methane positions this engine as a pivotal component for future space missions.
"This engine's most significant feature is its complete reusability, with a capability of at least 50 uses. It has successfully gone through various development tests and is now ready for flight," said Song Dekun from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
The 80-ton liquid oxygen-methane engine is tailored for the burgeoning commercial space market, offering substantial thrust while being engineered for reusability. Next to it, another engine designed for commercial space endeavors is on display - a high-altitude engine utilizing liquid oxygen and kerosene as fuel.
"It has a thrust of 72 tons and will be used in the rocket's second stage. The first stage carries the rocket to altitudes of 50 to 60 kilometers, and the second stage operates from there up to 200 kilometers and even into low Earth orbit, where it must ignite in near-vacuum conditions, requiring precise ignition capabilities," said Liu Shang from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
Liu added that this engine is delivery-ready and is projected to undertake its inaugural flight in 2025, further solidifying China's position in the global aerospace landscape.
Popularly known as the Zhuhai Airshow, the premier aviation event has attracted 1,022 companies from 47 countries and regions this year, with Russia, France, the United States, Saudi Arabia and Italy participating in the air show in groups. The airshow is scheduled to last through Sunday.
Cutting-edge liquid-propellant rocket engines at Zhuhai Airshow to benefit future space travel
Azerbaijan, the presidency of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29), is now leveraging its abundant solar and wind resources to shift toward renewable energy in cooperation with China.
The Garadagh Solar Photovoltaic Plant, Azerbaijan's first major solar power plant, is a symbol of China-Azerbaijan cooperation on green initiatives under the Belt and Road Initiative.
"The Garadagh Solar Photovoltaic Plant project has reached full capacity connection to the grid. Its annual output can reach 500 million kilowatt-hours, supplying electricity to 110,000 households and reducing 200,000 tons of carbon emissions each year. Based on Azerbaijan's sunlight hours, we calculate the cost per kilowatt-hour to be about three cents," said Xiang Wang, a staff member of Dongfang Electric Co. Ltd., builder of the project.
"With its abundant sunshine hours, the electricity costs in this region are among the lowest globally. Azerbaijan can use fossil fuels as export commodities while achieving faster local energy transformation through renewable sources," said She Haifeng, vice president of LONGi Green Energy Technology Co. Ltd., a Chinese photovoltaics company and a world's major manufacturer of solar modules. Azerbaijan, also rich in offshore wind resources due to its proximity to the Caspian Sea, aims for renewables to account for 30 percent of its power mix by 2030, with plans to install 7 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2040.
The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), or COP29, kicked off in Azerbaijan's capital city of Baku on Monday. Experts attending the conference noted that China's experience in solar and wind power will help Azerbaijan meet its green energy goals and establish a sustainable energy framework for the future.
"One of our first projects is to handle, I mean, is to produce renewable energies in the port using solar to reduce our carbon emissions for some of the equipment and facilities. And then going beyond that, we are also looking at other solutions, like wind, to replace the carbon emissions for other parts of the port. And of course, China companies can have a big role in this," said Eugene Seah, chief operating officer of Port of Baku.
Cooperation with China helps Azerbaijan harnesses green energy potential
