China Inaugurates Its First Commercial Spacecraft Launch Site

China’s new commercial spacecraft launch site in Hainan Province has completed its final rehearsal and is now ready for operations as of Sunday. The Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd. (HICAL) conducted comprehensive exercises at the site’s two launch pads, including water spraying, deluge system cooling, and tests of the rocket lifting arm.

Following successful assessments, HICAL confirmed the site’s readiness for upcoming launch missions. Yang Tianliang, President of HICAL, emphasized the importance of collaboration with satellite and rocket developers in preparing for the inaugural launch mission.

Established in June 2022 with an investment of approximately 4 billion yuan (about 560 million U.S. dollars), HICAL was founded through collaboration between the Hainan provincial government, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, and China Satellite Network Group Co., Ltd. Located in Wenchang City, the site features comprehensive infrastructure including launch areas, telemetry buildings, rocket assembly facilities, and more.

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Situated at a latitude of 20 degrees north, the launch site benefits from its coastal location, which enhances rocket payload capacities and reduces launch costs compared to inland sites. The proximity to the sea facilitates convenient transport of large rockets by ship, crucial for efficient commercial launch operations. The Hainan provincial government is planning a dedicated port to further support these logistics.

Moreover, the coastal location enables HICAL to leverage advantages in recovering reusable rockets post-launch, including experiments on vertical landings and sea recoveries. The site is equipped with two launch pads for liquid propellant rockets and two for solid propellant rockets. The No.1 pad, completed in December 2023, is tailored for China’s Long March-8 rocket, while the No.2 pad, finished in June 2024, accommodates various rockets from commercial providers, each with an annual capacity of 16 launches.

HICAL is poised to support international commercial launch services and plans to release a universal interface file for commercial rocket designs domestically and internationally. The Chinese government has prioritized the commercial space industry as an emerging and future-oriented sector, reflecting its strategic importance and rapid growth. In 2023, China conducted 26 commercial launches, accounting for 39 percent of its total launches, underscoring the sector’s significant expansion.

With an estimated market value projected to reach about 2.34 trillion yuan by 2024, China’s commercial space market continues to demonstrate robust growth, driven by sustained investment and technological advancements in aerospace capabilities.