YF-209

YF-209
Country of origin	China
Designer	Academy of Aerospace Liquid Propulsion Technology
Status	Active
Liquid-fuel engine
Propellant	LOX / CH4
Cycle	Gas-generator cycle
Configuration
Chamber	1
Performance
Thrust, vacuum	825.3 kilonewtons (185,500 lbf)
Thrust, sea-level	735 kilonewtons (165,000 lbf)
Specific impulse, vacuum	329 seconds (3.23 km/s)
Specific impulse, sea-level	293 seconds (2.87 km/s)
Used in
	Long March 12A (YF-209V)
References
References

The YF-209 is a liquid cryogenic rocket engine burning liquid methane and liquid oxygen in a gas-generator cycle. The engine is designed for reusability and commercial use.

History

The YF-209 is designed for the commercial launch market in China with reusability in mind. Its published design targets include at least 30 uses, at least three starts per mission, and deep throttling. The engine hot fire test was successfully completed in February 2023. Development has been prioritised in 2024 to meet the growing needs of the commercial launch market.

In November 2024, reporting from the Zhuhai Airshow stated that the YF-209 had completed development and reliability verification and was ready for delivery for flight.

YF-209V

The vacuum variant, YF-209V, powered the second stage of Long March 12A on its maiden flight on 23 December 2025. The second stage reached orbit, while the first stage, powered by seven Longyun engines, was not successfully recovered.

References

↑ "China's new rocket engines". b14643.eu. Archived from the original on June 23, 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
↑ Curcio, Blaine (10 May 2023). "Commercial Launch at China Space Day: Rocketing Towards Launch Diversity". SpaceRef. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
↑ "中国航天发布三款商业液体火箭发动机_央广网". news.cnr.cn. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
↑ Jones, Andrew (27 April 2023). "Chinese state-owned academy makes rocket engines available to commercial space firms". SpaceNews. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
↑ "China completes largest thrust liquid engine's ignition test". www.ecns.cn. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
↑ 付, 毅飞 (15 November 2024). ""YF-209"亮相！". Science and Technology Daily (in Chinese). Retrieved 18 October 2026 – via The Paper.
↑ "长征十二号甲火箭首飞入轨，一级未实现回收". 南方+ (in Chinese). 23 December 2025. Retrieved 18 October 2026.

[1] "China's new rocket engines". b14643.eu. Archived from the original on June 23, 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2024.

[2] Curcio, Blaine (10 May 2023). "Commercial Launch at China Space Day: Rocketing Towards Launch Diversity". SpaceRef. Retrieved 22 May 2024.

[3] "中国航天发布三款商业液体火箭发动机_央广网". news.cnr.cn. Retrieved 22 May 2024.

[4] Jones, Andrew (27 April 2023). "Chinese state-owned academy makes rocket engines available to commercial space firms". SpaceNews. Retrieved 22 May 2024.

[5] "China completes largest thrust liquid engine's ignition test". www.ecns.cn. Retrieved 22 May 2024.

[6] 付, 毅飞 (15 November 2024). ""YF-209"亮相！". Science and Technology Daily (in Chinese). Retrieved 18 October 2026 – via The Paper.

[nf2025-7] "长征十二号甲火箭首飞入轨，一级未实现回收". 南方+ (in Chinese). 23 December 2025. Retrieved 18 October 2026.