China's aerospace technology researchers announced Tuesday that for the first time the country has conducted a verification flight test on a domestically developed reusable liquid oxygen kerosene engine. The successful maiden flight test marks a major breakthrough in engine reusability development, the Global Times learned from the developers.

The reusable engine model was developed by Xi'an Aerospace Propulsion Institute, a subsidiary of the 6th Academy of the state-owned aerospace giant China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

In the verification flight test, the engine first served as the main engine in the maiden flight and after being inspected and maintained, successfully supported another repeated flight test, realizing the reuse of liquid rocket propulsion for the first time in the country's aerospace history, according to the Xi'an-based developers.

Zhang Xiaojun, head of the Xi'an-based institute, said it showed that engine reusability technology in the country has reached a practical use stage, and he vowed that they will continue to explore technology solutions in order to provide robust support for the country's space program.