Chinese Startup Advances Electric-Pump Rocket Technology
The Lieyan-2 is an electric-pump-fed engine that burns rocket-grade kerosene and liquid oxygen, producing approximately 10 metric tons of thrust.
Engine Test and Technical Claims
An initial engine test was announced in early March 2026, with Seetao reporting that the hotfire validated the feasibility of electric-pump cycle technology in Chinese-designed engines and confirmed the correctness of its system design. SpaceNews subsequently reported additional testing and funding activity in June 2026. Spark Space claims that the rocket this engine will power will be the world's largest electric-pump-fed rocket — a distinction that, if realized, would represent a meaningful benchmark in a propulsion category that has so far been explored primarily by smaller launch vehicles.
Funding and Infrastructure Plans
The capital raised will be directed toward the iterative development of the Lieyan-2 engine, according to China in Space.
Geopolitical Context: China's Commercial Space Push
The electric-pump approach represents a bet on a differentiated technology path.
Whether Spark Space can execute on its ambitions — translating successful engine tests into a completed launch vehicle, securing a launch license, and attracting commercial customers — remains to be seen. Still, the combination of a validated engine design and fresh capital puts the company in a credible position to continue development through the next major milestones.