YF-20

YF-20
A YF-20K engine
Country of originChina
First flight1995-06-01
DesignerAcademy of Aerospace Liquid Propulsion Technology
Associated LVFeng Bao 1, Long March 2, Long March 3 and Long March 4
StatusIn Production
Liquid-fuel engine
PropellantN2O4 / UDMH
CycleGas Generator
Configuration
Chamber1
Nozzle ratio12.69
Performance
Thrust, vacuum816.3 kN (183,500 lbf)
Thrust, sea-level731.5 kN (164,400 lbf)
Chamber pressure7.1 MPa (1,030 psi)
Specific impulse, vacuum289 seconds (2.83 km/s)
Specific impulse, sea-level259 seconds (2.54 km/s)
Burn time160s
Gimbal range±10° (when integrated on the YF-21B)
Dimensions
Diameter84 centimetres (33 in)
Dry mass712.5 kg (1,571 lb)
Used in
Feng Bao 1 first stage and Long March 2C, Long March 2D, Long March 2E, Long March 3, Long March 3A, Long March 3B and Long March 4A, boosters, first stage and second stage.
References
References[1][2][3][4]

The YF-20 is a Chinese liquid-fuel rocket engine burning N2O4 and UDMH in a gas generator cycle. It is a basic engine which when mounted in a four engine module forms the YF-21. The high altitude variation is known as the YF-22 is normally paired with the YF-23 vernier to form the YF-24 propulsion module for second stages. New versions when used individually for booster applications are called YF-25.[5][6]

Versions

The basic engine has been used since the Feng Bao 1 rocket and has been the main propulsion of the Long March 2, Long March 3 and Long March 4 families.[6][7][8]

  • YF-20: Core engine. Flown originally on the Feng Bao 1 and Long March 2A.[8][9][10]
  • YF-20A: Core engine.[11]
  • YF-20B (a.k.a. DaFY5-1): Core engine, also used on the boosters.[2][12][13]
  • YF-20C: Core engine, also used on the boosters.
  • YF-20D: Core engine, also used on the boosters.
  • YF-20E: Core engine, also used on the boosters.
  • YF-22: Upper stage version with enlarged nozzle are ratio. Flown originally on the Feng Bao 1 second stage with no verniers, and on the Long March 2A with the YF-23 verniers as the YF-24.[8][10]
  • YF-22A: Upper stage version.
  • YF-22B (a.k.a. DaFY20-1): Upper stage version.[12][13]
  • YF-22C: Upper stage version.
  • YF-22D: Upper stage version.
  • YF-22E: Upper stage version.
  • YF-25: Booster stage version.

Modules

A YF-24B engine
A YF-24B engine

While the basic engine was used multiple times, it was only used as a single engine for booster application. It is usually bundled into modules of multiple engines.[10][14][15]

The relevant modules for first stage application are:

  • YF-21: A module comprising four YF-20. Flown originally on the Feng Bao 1 and Long March 2A.[8][10]
  • YF-21A: A module comprising four YF-20A. Improved version.
  • YF-21B (a.k.a. DaFY6-2): A module comprising four YF-20B. Improved version which increased thrust by 7%.[12]
  • YF-21C: A module comprising four YF-20C. Improved version.[16]
  • YF-21D: A module comprising four YF-20D. Improved version.
  • YF-21E: A module comprising four YF-20E. Improved version.

The relevant modules for second stage application are:

  • YF-24: A module comprising an YF-22 and a YF-23 vernier. First flown on the Long March 2A.[10]
  • YF-24A: A module comprising an YF-22A and a YF-23A verniers.
  • YF-24B: A module comprising an YF-22B and a YF-23B verniers.
  • YF-24C: A module comprising an YF-22C and a YF-23C verniers.
  • YF-24D: A module comprising an YF-22D and a YF-23D verniers.
  • YF-24E: A module comprising an YF-22E and a YF-23E verniers.[16]

References

  1. ^ "Long March". Rocket and Space Technology. Retrieved 2015-07-08.
  2. ^ a b "YF-20B". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 2015-08-24. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  3. ^ Sutton, George Paul (November 2005). "Liquid Rocket Propellant Engines in the People's Republic of China". History of Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines. AIAA. p. 873. ISBN 978-1563476495. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  4. ^ Mowthorpe, Matthew (2004). "Chinas Military Space Program". The Militarization and Weaponization of Space. Lexington Books. p. 90. ISBN 978-0739107133. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  5. ^ Harvey, Brian (2004). "Launch Centers Rockets and Engines". China's Space Program — From Conception to Manned Spaceflight. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 231. ISBN 978-1852335663. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  6. ^ a b Norbert Bgügge. "Asian space-rocket liquid-propellant engines". B14643.DE. Archived from the original on 2015-07-17. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  7. ^ Norbert Bgügge. "YF rocket engine history". B14643.DE. Archived from the original on 2015-07-17. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  8. ^ a b c d Norbert Bgügge. "Propulsion FB-1". B14643.DE. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  9. ^ "YF-20". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 2015-08-24. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  10. ^ a b c d e Norbert Bgügge. "Propulsion CZ-2, CZ-2C, CZ-2D". B14643.DE. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  11. ^ "YF-20A". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 2015-08-24. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  12. ^ a b c "Chapter 2 — General Description to LM-3B". LM-3B User's Manual. Issue 1999 (PDF). CASC. 1999. p. 2. Retrieved 2015-07-08.
  13. ^ a b "Chapter 2 — General Description to LM-2E". LM-2E User's Manual. Issue 1999 (PDF). CASC. 1999. p. 2. Retrieved 2015-07-08.
  14. ^ Norbert Bgügge. "Propulsion CZ-3, CZ-3A CZ-3B, CZ-3C". B14643.DE. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  15. ^ Norbert Bgügge. "Propulsion CZ-4A, CZ-4B, CZ-4C". B14643.DE. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
  16. ^ a b "2.3 LM-3B and LM-3BE Launch Vehicles". LM-3A Series Launch Vehicle User's Manual. Issue 2011 (PDF). CASC. 2011. pp. 2–16. Retrieved 2015-07-08.