China commercial aerospace
1. StarNet successfully launched Satellite Internet Low Orbit Satellite 04 Group
At 04:45 on June 6, 2025, Beijing time, my country used the Long March 6 modified carrier rocket at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center to successfully launch the Satellite Internet Low Orbit 04 Group of Satellite Satellites into the planned orbit in a five-satellite method.
Hello space:
Only 38 days have passed since the launch of the StarNet 04 satellites from the last mission. The addition of Chang Liujia will significantly improve the progress of the StarNet network. This shows that Starnet has entered the rapid launch stage. With the first flights of multiple recyclable rockets this year, future constellation networking plans such as Starnet and Qianfan will usher in an explosion.
2. The Yuanxingzhe 1 verification rocket is completely returned to the factory
On June 4, Arrow Technology announced that the Yuanxingzhe 1 verification rocket that had completed the recovery and splashdown test was successfully transferred to the factory after 18 hours of six stages including independent passivation of the rocket body, simulated search and positioning, salvage and fixation, and return to the factory for inspection.
After preliminary inspection, the rocket body showed no damage or leakage, and the engine and electrical products in the tail compartment were in good condition.
Hello space:
Compared with the landing leg recovery method, the sea splash recovery method has the advantages of a simpler rocket body structure, less difficulty in recovery, and less reserved landing propellant, which can significantly improve the success rate of rocket recovery and recovery capacity.
3. The Zhuque-3 power test arrow arrived in Jiuquan
On June 1, the Zhuque-3 rocket developed by Blue Arrow Aerospace completed its final assembly in Jiaxing and arrived at the Jiuquan launch station of Blue Arrow Aerospace. This is the first time in my country’s history that a 4.5-meter-diameter rocket body has been transported long-distance by road.
Hello space:
The Zhuque-3 power test rocket will undergo a sub-class 9-machine parallel hot test at the Jiuquan launch station of Blue Arrow Aerospace, making the final sprint for its first flight within the year.
4. Aerospace Grand Plan responded with a huge loss of 1.393 billion
Aerospace Hongtu issued a reply announcement to the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s inquiry letter on the evening of June 3. The reply announcement showed that business revenue in the special field of aerospace Hongtu will decrease by 14.24% year-on-year in 2024, with a loss of 1.393 billion. The company was unable to participate in the relevant bidding procedures due to the suspension of qualifications, and its revenue carryover dropped significantly.
Hello space:
In July 2024, the Procurement and Supply Bureau of the Army Logistics Department decided to suspend Aerospace Hongtu’s qualification to participate in the military’s material engineering service procurement activities. At that time, this matter caused considerable concern in the industry. This reply announcement is the first time that Aerospace Hongtu has responded positively to the suspension of military procurement.
5. The Sky Constellation Satellite Ground Station Project was officially approved
On June 4, Huantian Intelligence Company announced that the Huantian Constellation Satellite Ground Station project has been officially approved and will soon start construction next to the Longchisi Reservoir in Shigao Street. After the project is completed, it will become the largest commercial satellite measurement and operation control station in Sichuan Province.
Hello space:
The Ring Sky Constellation is my country’s first high-resolution optical remote sensing satellite constellation with the theme of smart cities. It plans to deploy 50 satellites, and a total of 10 Dongpo 01-10 satellites have been successfully launched in 2022. After the ground station is completed, the constellation will have stronger service capabilities.
international commercial aerospace
1. Apple invests US$1.5 billion in GlobalStar to promote direct mobile phone connection business
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Space Agency has approved Globalstar’s application to expand its second-generation “Direct Connect Device” satellite constellation, which is mainly used to provide network coverage services for Apple devices.
Hello space:
Apple previously invested US$400 million to acquire 20% of Globalstar’s shares, and purchased this service and related ground infrastructure construction for US$1.1 billion. The approval of this plan will greatly improve the quality of non-terrestrial network services for Apple users in the United States in the future.
2. Musk said SpaceX expects revenue of US$15.5 billion in 2025
On June 3, local time, SpaceX CEO Musk said that the company’s revenue this year is expected to reach approximately US$15.5 billion, with revenue growth mainly coming from two major business segments: rocket launch services and Starlink star chain business.
Hello space:
According to SpaceX estimates, in 2025, SpaceX rocket launch services will increase from 134 in 2024 to 170 times, and Starlink users will increase from 4.6 million in 2024 to 7.8 million.
However, there are also potential risks in SpaceX’s development. Musk’s public disagreement with Trump may lead to a decrease in SpaceX’s revenue from government contracts. In addition, with the launch of Amazon’s Kuiper Project, Starlink will also face more severe competition in the future.
3. Japan’s Resilience lander failed to land softly on the lunar surface
Japan’s ispace’s Resilience lunar lander attempted to land in the “Cold Sea” in the northern hemisphere of the moon at 3:24 a.m. on June 6, but the lander lost contact before the scheduled landing.
ispace stated that it was initially determined that the landing failure was caused by inaccurate distance measurement by the laser rangefinder, and the data was delayed, resulting in insufficient deceleration of the lander engine, and eventually hitting the moon at a high speed.
Hello space:
This mission is another attempt by ispace after the failure of the “White Rabbit-R” 1 mission. It is also the third challenge launched by global commercial aerospace companies on the lunar surface this year. Only Firefly Aerospace’s “Blue Ghost” successfully achieved a soft landing on the lunar surface.
