Chinese researchers have developed a new rocket fuel that could give the country's Long March rockets a 10 percent payload boost without changing the size of the vehicle. The fuel, described as a "super fuel," was created by a team at the National University of Defense Technology in Changsha, Hunan province.
A fuel that packs more punch per liter
The new fuel is a type of gelled propellant that contains suspended metal particles. When burned, these particles release extra energy, allowing the rocket to carry more weight to orbit. The team tested the fuel in a lab-scale engine and found it increased specific impulse, a measure of efficiency, by about 10 percent compared to conventional kerosene-based fuels.
Why local scientists and engineers are paying close attention
China's space program relies heavily on the Long March rocket family for missions including satellite launches, crewed spaceflights, and lunar exploration. Any improvement in payload capacity means heavier satellites or more supplies can be sent into space on the same rocket. The research was published in the Chinese Journal of Energetic Materials. The team noted that the gelled fuel also has safety advantages: it is less likely to leak than liquid fuels and can be stored for longer periods.
The development comes as China pushes forward with ambitious space goals, including a permanent space station and crewed lunar missions. While the fuel has only been tested at small scale so far, the researchers say it could be scaled up for use in larger engines. The work is part of a broader effort to make Chinese rockets more competitive and capable.
For now, the super fuel remains in the laboratory. But if it proves viable in full-scale tests, it could give China's space program a significant edge, allowing heavier payloads to reach orbit without building bigger rockets.
