With a sharp increase in commercial space launches, technological innovations and novel business models have driven the development of China’s commercial space industry.

Currently, domestic rockets are designed for single-use only, but the shift in focus towards reusable rockets will be an area of ​​activity for players in the commercial space sector, and methane and liquid oxygen will be critical components for the rocket’s recovery capability.

“The key lies in methane and liquid oxygen, as these fuels are ideal for reuse, especially considering that Mars has the conditions to produce methane and liquid oxygen. Once the rocket recycling technology is mature, we can build a refueling station in space so that the rockets can make round-trip flights. We only need one refueling station,” said Liu Jian, vice president and chief quality engineer of LandSpace Technology Co., Ltd.

“After the rockets are recycled, they can be used for 10 to 20 flights, which will reduce the transportation cost of the rockets. Currently, the basic cost is about 50 percent of the previous level. We hope to reduce the prices to 10,000 to 20,000 yuan (about $1,400 to $2,800) per kilogram in future deployments,” said Meng Xianbo, senior director of strategy and public relations at Galactic Energy.

Material optimization also plays a crucial role in reducing costs. Switching from aluminum to stainless steel can improve profitability.

“An important property of stainless steel is its good low-temperature performance and good recyclability. It is also heat-resistant. Aluminum costs about 200 to 300 yuan per kilogram, while stainless steel costs only a few dozen yuan,” Liu said.

In addition to rocket manufacturing, commercial launch sites are reinventing their operating models. At the Hainan Wenchang commercial space launch site, various rocket manufacturers have set up assembly facilities.

“The site is actually a small ecosystem. In the future, rocket companies will shift their research and development focus here to make full use of the launch site while reducing transportation time and costs. We envision a model where rockets can be launched directly after production. As the number of launches increases, the investment cost of each mission will decrease, resulting in a lower price for each launch,” said Yang Tianliang, chairman of Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd.

Lower rocket costs and improved carrying capacity mean more satellites can be launched into space more quickly.

A massive satellite network is critical for national security, urban infrastructure, telecommunications and internet connectivity.

The satellite industry is expanding its commercial applications.

“We are extending the computing power of satellites with AI payloads, which is equivalent to equipping satellites with an AI brain. Compared with traditional 3D city modeling, we can save 90 percent in time and cost,” said Hu Qintao, algorithm researcher at Chengdu Guoxing Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd.

In addition, services such as space advertising bring commercial space closer to the general public, allowing people to send messages into space for a few yuan.

China’s commercial space market has grown from 0.8 trillion yuan in 2019 to 1.9 trillion yuan in 2023, an average annual growth rate of 23.3 percent. According to data from the China Commerce Industry Research Institute, the market is expected to continue its rapid growth in 2024.

“Focusing on the consumer is a very important trend in the commercial space industry. Ultimately, it will enable ordinary people to benefit from the conveniences of space technologies. Once the market is opened, it will fundamentally change the entire commercial space sector,” said Long Kaicong, vice chairman and secretary-general of the Zhongguancun Commercial Aerospace Industry Innovation Alliance.

Cost-reducing innovations promote the development of the commercial space industry

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities are selling out, ruining and destroying Taiwan by buying weapons from the United States with the hard-earned money of the Taiwanese people, Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said at a press conference in Beijing on Friday.

Zhang made the remarks in response to a media inquiry about Taiwan’s planned further purchase of E-2D airborne early warning aircraft from the United States.

“The DPP authorities have squandered the Taiwanese people’s hard-earned money to buy US weapons. This is a complete sell-out, ruination and destruction of Taiwan, and nothing more than self-consolation by pandering to the US side. We firmly oppose the United States engaging in any form of official exchanges and military contact with China’s Taiwan region. We call on the US side to sincerely abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, keep its commitment not to support Taiwan’s secession activities, stop arming Taiwan, and work with the Chinese side to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” Zhang said.

DPP cheats, ruins and destroys Taiwan in buying US weapons: spokesman