Visiting Rocket Factories: The Real Progress in China's Commercial Space Industry
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Author:小编   

As Earth's low-Earth orbit becomes increasingly crowded, SpaceX's accelerated satellite launch plans have intensified competition for orbital resources. Entrepreneurs and investors in China's commercial space sector widely believe that developing low-cost, reusable rockets and competing for orbital space are inevitable trends for future development. Multiple Chinese commercial space startups are drawing inspiration from SpaceX's business model, striving to achieve low-cost, reusable rocket launches. Currently, several locations across China are developing rockets similar in size to SpaceX's Falcon 9, with some incorporating materials and designs inspired by SpaceX's Starship. Most rocket companies believe that achieving a positive commercial cycle is possible by reducing launch costs and maintaining high launch frequencies, a view supported by policies, with some companies already submitting applications for public listings. At the technical level, using stainless steel for rocket construction can reduce costs, but welding presents significant challenges, with domestic welding efficiency lagging behind SpaceX. In terms of engines, the thrust of China's commercial space engines still falls short compared to SpaceX's Raptor 3, primarily due to deficiencies in foundational metallurgical capabilities within the industrial system and gaps in the supply chain. Regarding recovery technology, rocket companies worldwide are striving to catch up with SpaceX's 2015 recovery technology, with LandSpace making the fastest progress. Its ZQ-3 rocket successfully reached orbit with its second stage during its maiden flight last year, although the first-stage recovery failed. Currently, most rocket companies are still in the stages of ground testing and simulation, with some proposing alternative recovery approaches. To reduce costs, Chinese commercial space companies are attempting to incorporate more non-aerospace suppliers, building more economical supply chains. Some companies have even applied automotive-grade components in rocket manufacturing. The vision that domestic rocket companies present to the capital market is to manufacture affordable and reusable rockets, thereby reducing launch costs and providing services to satellite companies.