Hainan's Innovative Leap: Commercial Spaceflight Sector Ready to 'take off'
Eighteen low Earth orbit satellites were successfully launched aboard a Long March-8 Y6 carrier rocket from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in south China's Hainan Province in the early hours of March 12. This mission marked the...
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Eighteen low Earth orbit satellites were successfully launched aboard a Long March-8 Y6 carrier rocket from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in south China's Hainan Province in the early hours of March 12.
This mission marked the inaugural launch from the site's No. 1 launch pad. Following the first launch from the No. 2 pad on November 30, 2024, this achievement showcases the readiness of China's first commercial spaceport to support future missions through its dual-pad capability.
Hainan has capitalized on its free trade port policies and unique launch site resources to foster the growth of its rocket, satellite, and data industry chains, thus enhancing its "space+" economy.
In 2022, China gave the green light for the construction of the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site at Wenchang International Aerospace City. Groundwork started in July 2022, and the site reached operational status with two launch pads in just 32 months.
Lu Liangliang, an official from the Department of System Engineering of the China National Space Administration, stated that this milestone signifies the completion of the site's first-phase capacity building, filling a gap in China's commercial launch capabilities.
The second phase of the project is currently under construction nearby and is slated for completion by the end of 2026. It will feature a command and control center, along with two additional liquid rocket launch pads.
This new launch site is expected to enhance the annual capacity for launches by 30 to 40, bringing the total to over 60 launches per year.
Focusing on industry development, Wenchang International Aerospace City stands out as one of Hainan's key industrial zones, aiming to create aerospace industry clusters centered around the rocket, satellite, and data sectors.
According to Hainan Daily, by the end of October 2024, more than 700 space-related enterprises and institutions had established a presence in the space city, contributing to a burgeoning ecosystem led by significant players such as the China National Space Administration.
Additionally, at the Wenchang International Aviation & Aerospace Forum opening ceremony on December 2, 2024, 26 satellite industry enterprises signed agreements to join the space city, reflecting the expansion of notable commercial space companies like iSpace and Galactic Energy in the region.
Furthermore, in March, Hainan launched its first Aerospace Application Technology Industry Academy, which aims to cultivate interdisciplinary talent by emphasizing space, internationalization, and artificial intelligence.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
This mission marked the inaugural launch from the site's No. 1 launch pad. Following the first launch from the No. 2 pad on November 30, 2024, this achievement showcases the readiness of China's first commercial spaceport to support future missions through its dual-pad capability.
Hainan has capitalized on its free trade port policies and unique launch site resources to foster the growth of its rocket, satellite, and data industry chains, thus enhancing its "space+" economy.
In 2022, China gave the green light for the construction of the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site at Wenchang International Aerospace City. Groundwork started in July 2022, and the site reached operational status with two launch pads in just 32 months.
Lu Liangliang, an official from the Department of System Engineering of the China National Space Administration, stated that this milestone signifies the completion of the site's first-phase capacity building, filling a gap in China's commercial launch capabilities.
The second phase of the project is currently under construction nearby and is slated for completion by the end of 2026. It will feature a command and control center, along with two additional liquid rocket launch pads.
This new launch site is expected to enhance the annual capacity for launches by 30 to 40, bringing the total to over 60 launches per year.
Focusing on industry development, Wenchang International Aerospace City stands out as one of Hainan's key industrial zones, aiming to create aerospace industry clusters centered around the rocket, satellite, and data sectors.
According to Hainan Daily, by the end of October 2024, more than 700 space-related enterprises and institutions had established a presence in the space city, contributing to a burgeoning ecosystem led by significant players such as the China National Space Administration.
Additionally, at the Wenchang International Aviation & Aerospace Forum opening ceremony on December 2, 2024, 26 satellite industry enterprises signed agreements to join the space city, reflecting the expansion of notable commercial space companies like iSpace and Galactic Energy in the region.
Furthermore, in March, Hainan launched its first Aerospace Application Technology Industry Academy, which aims to cultivate interdisciplinary talent by emphasizing space, internationalization, and artificial intelligence.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
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