🚀 China's commercial space industry is soaring to new heights! As the nation pushes forward with high-quality development, companies like iSPACE are leading the charge into the cosmos.
In December 2023, Beijing Interstellar Glory Space Technology—better known as iSPACE—successfully tested its own reusable rocket launcher. This milestone brings China one step closer to having a fully functional, domestically built reusable rocket. Talk about shooting for the stars! 🌠
\"There's still a long way ahead, but we're catching up fast!\" exclaimed Anna Choi, vice manager of iSPACE, in a recent interview. And she's not kidding. Back in 2019, iSPACE made history by becoming the first private Chinese company to put a satellite into orbit with its SQX-1 Y1 rocket. 🚀
The December test verified the Hyperbola-2Y as a reusable liquid oxygen and methane carrier rocket—the first of its kind in China. iSPACE plans to launch a reusable medium-lift rocket into orbit by late 2025. The sky isn't the limit; it's just the beginning! 🌌
Since starting in 2016 with fewer than 10 people, iSPACE has grown to over 400 staff members. The company's rapid growth mirrors the explosion of China's commercial aerospace sector, fueled by tech innovation and supportive government policies.
\"This sector requires pioneering courage,\" Choi said. \"We are committed to innovation and confident in our ability to catch up and even go beyond.\" 💪
Beijing is becoming a hotspot for space startups, thanks to its rich talent pool and policies that encourage growth. In February 2024, the city announced plans for a \"Rocket Street\"—a hub for research and production aimed at advancing commercial aerospace. Construction kicked off recently at the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area.
Other regions in China are also jumping on the space bandwagon, recognizing the industry's potential to drive sustainable growth and technological advancement. It's all part of China's agenda to climb the global value chain by focusing on strategic, future-oriented industries like bio-manufacturing, quantum technology, and life sciences.
With over 10 successful launches by private companies in 2023 alone, China's commercial spaceflight industry is on fire! 🔥 And with innovators like iSPACE leading the way, who knows how far they'll go? Maybe Mars isn't that far away after all! 🚀🌕
Reference(s):
China's commercial space sector takes off amid tech innovation push
cgtn.com
