Long March-5 rocket engine undergoes testing

BEIJING - China on Sunday successfully conducted tests on its new 120-ton-thrust liquid oxygen (LOX) and kerosene engine for its new generation carrier rocket, the Long March-5, the China Central Television reported.

The test was conducted in Xi'an, capital city of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, according to the report.

The LOX/kerosene engine underwent a test of a high rotational speed of nearly 20,000 revolutions per minute and a high temperature test of 3,000 degrees Celsius that lasted for 200 seconds, the report said.

The large-thrust carrier rocket under development is hoped to make its maiden voyage in 2014. Ahead of that, several limit-determining tests will be conducted to ensure the engine's stability and reliability, it was reported.