China just test-fired a massive solid-fueled rocket - Space.com

China has test fired a huge new solid rocket motor, creating more propulsion options for the country’s growing space activities.

A CASC statement said it is the most powerful solid rocket motor with the largest thrust in the world so far.

Next, we will develop a 1,000-ton solid rocket engine to provide stronger thrust for China's carrier rockets in the future," Ren told CCTV.

CASC says the rocket motor is expected to be used with heavy-lift rockets to meet various demands for launch vehicles during space missions like crewed Moon landings and deep space exploration.

China is already developing the Long March 9 and another large rocket for launching astronauts for crewed lunar missions, neither of which include solid boosters.

China has made big progress on solid propellant rockets in recent years, including the successful development and launch of the Long March 11, which can launch from land or sea.

It could also be used by CASC commercial spinoff China Rocket, which develops Jielong solid rockets for launching commercial satellites. .

China is also planning to launch its first rocket which combines liquid propellant core stages with solid side boosters.

CASIC, another gigantic Chinese state-owned enterprise similar to CASC and with its own space aspirations, is also developing small and large solid rockets.

China's new solid rocket motor It is not the largest nor most powerful solid fuel engine ever tested, however.