The world's first rocket to use coal fuel.

The Tianlong-2 rocket from Chinese startup Space Pioneer successfully launched for the first time in April using coal-based aviation kerosene as fuel.

Space Pioneer's new fuel performs as well as petroleum-based aviation kerosene. Some space experts say it provides a safe and efficient power source for China's fuel-scarce aerospace industry, SCMP reported on May 25.

Rocket engines require high-grade fuel, and traditional rocket kerosene can only be refined from high-quality petroleum through complex extraction processes. Securing such fuel has always been challenging given China's limited oil reserves and the generally low quality of its oil fields.

The launch of the first rocket powered by coal-based aerospace kerosene is considered a landmark achievement in the aerospace industry.

"The success of the new research helps expand the fuel supply for China's aerospace industry, ensuring national energy security and laying a solid foundation for launching next-generation rockets," said China Space News , a newspaper of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

Coal-based aviation kerosene was jointly developed by several Chinese state-owned companies, including the No. 165 Research Institute of CASC, the Liquid Coal Chemical Company of China Energy Engineering Group, and the Ningxia Coal Industry Group.

After years of testing, the research team discovered that aerospace kerosene produced from the liquefaction of coal has similar properties to that made from petroleum. This finding offers a promising aerospace energy solution because China has abundant coal resources and its coal-to-liquid conversion technology is improving.

"After years of relentless effort, the institute has successfully developed coal-based aviation kerosene, establishing a production line with an annual output of 5,000 tons (estimated to supply more than 30 flights). By 2025, the annual output is expected to increase to approximately 30,000 tons," said Fu Quanjun, deputy director of the No. 165 Research Institute.

On April 2nd, after more than 300 engine tests and a test duration exceeding 60,000 seconds, the Tianlong-2 rocket successfully launched with its new fuel. The YF-102 liquid-fuel engine on the Tianlong-2, developed by the No. 6th Institute of Aerospace Science and Technology, is the standard engine for China's next-generation launch vehicles. The Long March 5, 6, and 7 rockets all use engines from this series, meaning they can also use coal-fired aerospace kerosene as fuel.

Thu Thao (According to SCMP )

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