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Chinese researchers have achieved a major milestone in aerospace engineering. They have successfully used a domestically developed technology to mass-produce a critical rocket component. This breakthrough significantly shortens the time required for manufacturing. It also promises to boost the efficiency of China’s growing commercial space sector.
The core of this breakthrough lies in the production of the bottom dome of rocket propellant tanks. This specific part is a critical structure. It determines, to a large extent, the production pace of entire launch vehicles. In the aerospace industry, the frequency of satellite launches often depends on the availability of rockets. However, rocket production can be constrained by the speed at which propellant tanks and their components are made.
A research team from the School of Mechanical Engineering at Dalian University of Technology has realized the mass production of propellant tank bottoms. These components measure more than two meters in diameter. This achievement is based on an internationally pioneering technology. The team developed a method for ultra-low-temperature forming.
The newly manufactured component looks like a giant metal lid. It measures over two meters in diameter. Yet, it is only four millimeters thick. Despite this lightweight structure, the component must withstand intense vibration and impact during launch. It must also support hundreds of tonnes of propellant pressure. These requirements mean that there are extremely high demands on manufacturing precision and reliability.