Upgraded engine powers successful debut of China's Long March-12 rocket

Four state-of-the-art 130-ton-thrust liquid oxygen-kerosene engines have powered the successful maiden flight of China's new carrier rocket, the Long March-12, marking the first launch mission for this advanced engine.

The new engine represents a significant advancement, incorporating new materials, processes, and technologies. It is expected to play a key role in China's next generation of launch vehicles.

"This engine is an improved version based on our original 120-ton engine. It features a pump-backswing design with a supplementary combustion cycle. Compared to the previous 120-ton engine, we have reduced the weight by 20 percent, increased the thrust by 5 percent, and enhanced the overall performance," said Li Bin, vice president in charge of the Sixth Academy of the Sixth Academy of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp (CASC) and chief engineer of the liquid oxygen kerosene engine.

The standout feature of this engine, as explained by Li, is its "pump backswing" design, which enables a more compact engine structure by minimizing the space required for adjusting the engine's attitude and other reasons through nozzle swinging.

"The pump-backswing engine operates like a person swinging only their legs while keeping the upper body still. In other words, the engine's nozzle is the only part that moves. This limited movement reduces the engine's profile and the area it sweeps, allowing the rocket to be designed more compactly," said Li.

China launched the Long March-12 into space on Saturday night from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site on the southern island province of Hainan.

The Long March-12 carrier rocket sent two experimental satellites into their planned orbits.

Upgraded engine powers successful debut of China's Long March-12 rocket

Upgraded engine powers successful debut of China's Long March-12 rocket

Grain enterprises across China have purchased 120 million tons of autumn grains recently, according to data from the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration.

Provinces like Henan, Jiangsu, Heilongjiang, and Anhui have set up the minimum purchase price of middle- and late-season rice. Over 200 purchasing spots have been set up in these four provinces to facilitate grain farmers in selling their crops.

Currently the purchase of middle- and late-season indica rice in the southern region stands at around 40 to 50 percent, while in the northeast region, the purchase of japonica rice is around 20 percent. In the north and northeast China, purchase of corn stands at 20 percent to 30 percent, while that of soybeans is around 15 percent in northeastern region.

The average price of middle- and late-season rice is about 2.6 yuan per kilogram. With demand rising for animal feed, prices of corn and soybean are gradually recovering and stabilizing, boosting acquisition interest.

"Currently, the cumulative procurement of middle- and late-season rice at the minimum purchase price has exceeded 1.8 million tons, effectively stabilizing market expectations and ensuring reasonable grain prices," said Luo Shouquan, director of the grain reserve department of the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration.

Autumn grain purchases across China total 120 million tons