Adapted by:
Miguel Jorge
WriterJournalist. I've spent more than half of my life writing about technology, science, and culture. Before landing here, I worked at Telefónica, Prisa, Globus Comunicación, Hipertextual, and Gizmodo. I'm part of Webedia's cross-section team.
Karen Alfaro
WriterCommunications professional with a decade of experience as a copywriter, proofreader, and editor. As a travel and science journalist, I've collaborated with several print and digital outlets around the world. I'm passionate about culture, music, food, history, and innovative technologies.
A few weeks ago, the two astronauts stranded in space after their June 5 launch aboard the Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) received good news: Their return to Earth will be sooner than expected. For Boeing, however, the mission fiasco is far from over. The company is trying to sell off its struggling space division for parts. The latest twist: China appears to have turned the Starliner’s biggest problem into an advantage.
Boeing’s problem as inspiration. In a surprising technological development, Chinese scientists have transformed NASA’s—and especially Boeing’s—severe crisis into a potential revolution in aerospace propulsion. The Starliner capsule suffered multiple helium leaks that shut down its propulsion systems, stranding the two astronauts aboard the ISS.
The incident turned helium, an ultralight gas traditionally used to pressurize liquid propellants, into a symbol of technological vulnerability. Chinese researchers saw that same vulnerability as an opportunity to develop a technology that could transform the military and space industries.
Helium-powered solid propulsion. A recent study published in the journal Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica details how a team led by Yang Zenan of Harbin Engineering University demonstrated that controlled helium injection can significantly enhance the performance of solid-fuel rocket engines.
Specifically, the researchers found that introducing helium through microscopic pores (about 2 mm) in the combustion chamber increased the engine’s specific efficiency by 5.77%. By fine-tuning the helium-to-combustion gas ratio (one part helium to four parts fuel gas), the scientists were able to instantly triple the engine's thrust from 100% to 313%, depending on operational requirements.
Thermal camouflage and invisibility. The use of helium isn’t limited to improving power or thrust. One of its most strategic advantages is the drastic reduction in exhaust temperature. As an extremely light gas—with a molar mass of only 4 g/mol compared to 29 g/mol for typical combustion gases—helium expands and cools the exhaust stream, reducing its temperature by up to 34.38 degrees Fahrenheit.
This temperature reduction significantly lowers the infrared signature of rockets powered by this technology, making them nearly undetectable by the infrared sensors used in modern military satellites such as SpaceX’s Starshield and interceptor systems such as the SM-3 Block IIA.
Improved stability and safety. Another key advantage of helium, highlighted by the researchers, is its chemically inert nature, which avoids the combustion instability associated with other light gases, especially hydrogen. This ensures smooth, predictable flight, reducing operational risks that have traditionally hindered volatile alternative technologies.
Additionally, by absorbing excess heat generated during combustion, helium helps lower exhaust temperatures and protect internal engine materials. This extends engine life and enhances overall safety.
Military and strategic applications. The researchers say the technology has profound military and strategic implications. The ability to rapidly modulate missile thrust in flight allows for unpredictable attack trajectories, significantly improving maneuverability. This aspect is particularly relevant for advanced defensive systems, as the combination of reduced infrared detectability and variable acceleration makes interception far more difficult—especially against hypersonic missiles.
According to the researchers, this innovation could directly address challenges in speed, range, and thermal stealth that pose difficulties for U.S.-developed missile defense systems.
Civilian applications and space potential. The benefits of this technology extend beyond military use. The research team suggests it could revolutionize civilian and commercial spaceflight, particularly in the rapid, cost-effective launch of satellites using solid-fuel rockets.
This capability would be particularly valuable for urgent commercial, scientific, and humanitarian missions, providing a flexible and cost-effective alternative to today’s expensive launch systems.
Context and relevance. NASA recently announced that astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, affected by the Starliner malfunction, will finally return to Earth in mid-March aboard a SpaceX spacecraft. Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, said the incident demonstrated once again that “human spaceflight is full of unexpected challenges.”
Ironically, the same issue that caused major setbacks for NASA and Boeing has helped Chinese scientists achieve a potentially disruptive innovation—one that could soon redefine the technological and strategic landscape.
Image | NASA Kennedy | Arthur Wang (Unsplash)
Log in to leave a comment