On May 9th at 9:43 am, the Smart SkyNet-1 satellite 01 was launched successfully aboard the Long March 3B carrier rocket. It utilized a unique dual-mode propulsion system, featuring a dual-mode 490N engine as its orbit control engine.
This marks the first application of this type of engine in China's space propulsion field.
From May 10th to May 23rd, the dual-mode 490N engine conducted four orbit adjustments, accumulating a total operation time of approximately 5482 seconds, successfully completing the planned orbital maneuvers.
Ten years ago, under the guidance of the model, the Aerospace Science and Technology Group's 801 Institute began the technical research on the dual-mode 490N engine.
Among them, addressing the issues of high combustion temperature and vacuum start safety despite the superior performance of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine became a key challenge in balancing engine performance and operational reliability during the development work.
The research team conducted crucial technological breakthroughs in high-performance injector design, vacuum ignition characteristics, and new anti-high-temperature oxidation coating processes. Through four rounds of optimization iterations, they finalized the technical solution, ensuring that the working temperature stayed within the material's allowable range, with a vacuum specific impulse of over 321 seconds, reaching the highest level of domestic engineering application for similar engines.
The development and successful on-orbit application of the dual-mode 490N engine have provided more power system solutions for China's future space missions.
