China’s commercial space industry has taken a significant leap forward with the debut of its first commercial launch site. On November 30, the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site saw the successful maiden flight of the Long March-12 rocket. This milestone marks a pivotal moment for China’s burgeoning commercial space sector.
Just three days prior, a modified version of China’s Zhuque-2 (ZQ-2), a methane-powered carrier rocket, completed its maiden flight from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Pilot Zone in northwest China’s Gobi Desert. These two launches fill a critical gap in the commercial space ecosystem: dedicated commercial launch sites. Without this essential infrastructure, many commercial rockets and satellites were ready for launch but lacked suitable facilities to do so.
China’s Commercial Space Sector in a Nutshell
The commercial space industry comprises several key segments. The midstream includes launch sites and services, as well as the manufacturing of ground equipment. The upstream focuses on the production of rockets and satellites and supporting technologies, while the downstream centers on terminal applications and service markets. Traditional applications involve communications, navigation, and remote sensing, while emerging areas like satellite internet, space tourism, space mining, and deep space exploration are rapidly developing.
China’s journey into the commercialization of space activities began in 2014 when the State Council issued the “Guiding Opinions on Innovating Investment and Financing Mechanisms in Key Areas and Encouraging Social Investment.” This policy opened doors for private capital to participate in the construction of civil space infrastructure.
In 2015, the release of a mid- to long-term development plan (2015-2025) for civil space infrastructure spurred the rise of commercial rocket companies, including Landspace, the developer of the Zhuque carrier rocket series. In 2019, the successful launch of the Hyperbola-1, developed by Interstellar Glory, demonstrated the capabilities of China’s commercial space companies.
Since then, an increasing number of companies have developed various types of rockets, offering a range of diversified launch services, including small satellite launches, rideshare missions carrying multiple satellites, and customized launches. In 2023, China’s private rocket sector completed 13 launches, marking a 160 percent increase compared to 2022.
Satellite Constellations and Expanding Applications
As satellites, rockets, and launch sites move toward commercialization, China’s commercial space sector is beginning to take shape. Demand for satellite services across various industries continues to grow, and new application scenarios are rapidly expanding.
A major focus is the construction of low Earth orbit satellite constellations, with satellite internet serving as a primary driver. According to public information, China has planned satellite constellations totaling at least 40,000 satellites, with major constellations like GW and G60 each comprising over 10,000 satellites.
This year, the first two batches of the mega satellite internet project “Thousand Sails Constellation,” also known as G60, successfully launched 36 satellites into orbit. However, they still fell short of the planned 108 satellites expected to be in orbit by the end of the year.
Commercial Space as a Driving Engine for Growth
The rapid development of China’s commercial space sector is poised to become a driving engine for growth, fostering innovation and opening new avenues for economic development. The expansion of launch capabilities and satellite constellations not only enhances the nation’s technological prowess but also offers significant opportunities for global collaboration and investment.
As the industry continues to evolve, it is expected to contribute to various sectors, including telecommunications, navigation, environmental monitoring, and disaster management. The integration of space technology into everyday applications underscores the transformative potential of the commercial space industry in China and its influence on the global stage.
Reference(s):
China's commercial space boom: Launch sites, rockets, constellations
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