How many rocket factories are there in China? What is the production capacity? Can it meet existing satellite launch needs?
Today let’s talk: How many rocket factories are there in China?
01
30 rocket factories
According to Nihao Space statistics, China currently has 30 commercial aerospace assembly and test rocket factories, of which 14 have been put into production. The specific information is as shown in the figure: According to the construction progress, we divide these rocket factories into the following three categories: 1. Already in use (14): Jiaxing Blue Arrow Space Center, Tianbing Technology Zhangjiagang Intelligent Manufacturing Base, Tianbing Technology Liquid Rocket Development Base, Zhongke Aerospace Flight Technology Industrialization Base, Galaxy Power New Generation Solid Aircraft R&D and Production Base, Galaxy Power Haiyang Solid Rocket Industry Base, Galaxy Power Zhishen Star One No. 1 liquid rocket manufacturing base, Oriental Space Gravity-1 launch vehicle AIT center, Interstellar Glory rocket assembly and testing base, Zero-One Space rocket intelligent assembly and manufacturing base, China Rocket Solid Launch Vehicle Assembly and Testing Base, Kuaizhou Assembly and Adjustment Center, Factory 211 of the First Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology, and Factory 149 of the Eighth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology. 2. Under construction (11): Blue Arrow aerospace rocket high-end intelligent manufacturing base, China Aerospace Lijian II liquid launch vehicle manufacturing plant, Oriental Space Taian liquid launch vehicle production and manufacturing base, Interstellar Glory rocket assembly, test and reuse factory, Interstellar Glory launch vehicle headquarters Assembly and testing base, Deep Blue Aerospace Rocket Intelligent R&D and Manufacturing Base, Deep Blue Aerospace Rocket Canal Factory, Zhihang Technology Recyclable Liquid Rocket Manufacturing Base, Tianzhang Rocket Commercial Rocket Assembly Test Base, Yilong Rocket Intelligent Manufacturing Production Line, and Lingkong Tianxing Rocket Manufacturing Base. 3. Under planning (5): Tianbing Technology Jinan rocket manufacturing base, Tianbing Technology bundled heavy rocket headquarters base, Nanjing Galaxy Power intelligent manufacturing base, Interstellar Glory reusable liquid launch vehicle production headquarters base, Interstellar Glory liquid rocket assembly and testing base.
02
Rocket Factory Overview
1. Already put into use (14) Jiaxing Blue Arrow Space Center: Located in the Aerospace Industrial Park of Jiaxing Port Area, Zhejiang Province, it has been put into use. Blue Arrow Aerospace’s Suzaku-2 series of rockets that have been successfully launched have completed assembly and testing at the base. It plans to produce 12 Suzaku-2 rockets and launch 6 annually in 2025, while supporting the first flight of Suzaku-3.
Tianbing Technology Zhangjiagang Intelligent Manufacturing Base: Located in the Economic Development Zone of Zhangjiagang City, Jiangsu Province, a completion and commissioning ceremony will be held in April 2024, which can achieve a production capacity of more than 30 Tianlong-3 rockets per year.
Tianbing Technology Liquid Rocket Development Base: Located in Yangming Industrial Park, Liangxi District, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province, it has been put into use and will be able to produce 20 Tianlong-2 rockets per year after reaching capacity. Zhongke Aerospace Science and Technology Industrialization Base: Located in Nansha District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, it has successfully mass-produced the Lijian-1 series of solid rockets, with an annual output of 30 rockets and structural cabin manufacturing and assembly capabilities. Galaxy Power’s new generation solid aircraft R&D and production base: Located in the Linkong Economic Zone, Ziyang City, Sichuan Province, it will be put into use in August 2024. It has completed the manufacturing tasks of Ceres 1 Remote 10 and Remote 16, and gradually formed an annual production capacity of 10 Ceres 1 launch vehicles.
Galaxy Power Haiyang Solid Rocket Industrial Base: Located in Haiyang City, Yantai City, Shandong Province, it is used for the final assembly, integration and testing of the Ceres-1 series rockets. It will be completed and put into use in November 2023.
Galaxy Power Pallas 1 liquid rocket manufacturing base: Located in Chizhou City, Anhui Province, it is a manufacturing base specializing in the research and development and industrialization of Pallas 1. It plans to produce 24 liquid rockets per year. The base is currently put into use, and the first Pallas-1 liquid launch vehicle will be assembled and rolled off the assembly line in May 2023.
Oriental Space Gravity-1 Launch Vehicle AIT Center: Located in Haiyang City, Yantai City, Shandong Province, construction started in 2022 and has been completed and put into use. After reaching capacity, it can support the annual production of 20 medium and large launch vehicles.
Interstellar Glory Rocket Assembly and Testing Base: Located in Pangezhuang Town, Daxing District, Beijing. A signing ceremony for entering the area was held in September 2021. It is now put into use. In December 2024, the hyperbolic No. 3 large-diameter friction stir welding tank will roll off the production line at the base.
Zero-One Space Rocket Intelligent Assembly and Manufacturing Base: Located in Liangjiang New District, Chongqing City, the first phase of the base was completed and put into use in 2019, with an annual production capacity of 30 solid rockets. China Rocket Solid Launch Vehicle Final Assembly and Testing Base: Located in Haiyang City, Yantai City, Shandong Province, the first phase of the project has been accepted and officially put into production in 2022. The second phase of the project was announced to be put into production in April 2025. It is mainly used for the assembly, final assembly, and testing of solid rockets such as the Jielong series. After the second phase of the project is put into production, it can achieve an annual production capacity of 20 rounds. Kuaizhou Assembly and Adjustment Center: Located at the Wuhan National Aerospace Industry Base in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, the base’s Kuaizhou Rocket Industrial Park (Kuaizhou Assembly and Adjustment Center) has been put into operation and has an annual production capacity of 20 solid launch vehicles for assembly and testing. The first phase of the project is mainly used for the final assembly and testing of the Kuaizhou series of solid launch vehicles. Factory 211 of the First Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology: Factory 211 is located in Fengtai District, Beijing, and the large rocket base is located in Binhai New District, Tianjin. It is mainly responsible for the production and final assembly and testing of new generation launch vehicles such as the Long March 5. Chang 2C, Chang 3B, Chang 8, Chang 8A and Chang 5B developed by the First Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology have participated in commercial space missions. Factory 149 of the Eighth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology: Located in Minhang District, Shanghai, it is the only state-owned comprehensive backbone aerospace enterprise in my country that integrates product manufacturing, final assembly testing and launch site services for launch vehicles, space vehicles and tactical weapons ground systems. Chang Erding, Chang 4B, Chang 4C, Chang 6, Chang Liujia, Chang 6C and Chang 12, developed by the Eighth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology, have participated in commercial space missions. 2. Under construction (11) Blue Arrow Space Rocket High-end Intelligent Manufacturing Base: Located in Huishan High-tech Zone, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province, the foundation stone will be laid in May 2024. The project is still under construction. After completion, it will form 30 liquid rocket launches per year, final assembly, general testing capabilities and supporting support capabilities.
Zhongke Aerospace Lijian 2 liquid launch vehicle manufacturing factory: located in Keqiao District, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held in December 2024. When the project matures and is operational, it will be able to produce 12 Lijian 2 liquid launch vehicles per year.
Oriental Space Tai’an Liquid Launch Vehicle Manufacturing Base: Located in Wenhe New District, Tai’an City, Shandong Province, construction will start in November 2024. It is planned to produce 20 liquid rockets per year. The project is currently being constructed as planned. After the successful first flight of Gravity-2, it will be fully transferred to Taian for mass production.
Interstellar Glory Rocket Final Assembly, Testing and Reuse Factory: Located in Dongjiao Town, Wenchang City, Hainan Province, a groundbreaking ceremony will be held on November 16, 2024. After the project is completed, the annual launch vehicle assembly, testing and reuse production capacity will exceed 36 launches. Interstellar Glory launch vehicle assembly and testing base: Located in Shifang City, Deyang City, Sichuan Province, it will be launched as a launch vehicle assembly testing base and defense product production base in September 2024. The total investment is 700 million yuan. The base is currently under construction. Deep Blue Aerospace Rocket Intelligent R&D and Manufacturing Base: Located in the Commercial Aerospace Industrial Park in Yuhui District, Bengbu City, Anhui Province. In October 2024, Yuhui District and Deep Blue Aerospace have reached an agreement. The key rocket parts manufacturing, final assembly process and engine intelligent R&D and manufacturing base projects will be located in the Yuhui District Commercial Aerospace Industrial Park. The base is currently under construction. Deep Blue Aerospace Rocket Canal Factory: Located in the High-tech Zone of Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province, it will be launched in July 2024. With the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal as the background, it will be mainly used for the mass production of Nebula-1 and Nebula-2 rockets. Zhihang Technology Recyclable Liquid Rocket Manufacturing Base: Located in the Economic Development Zone of Anqing City, Anhui Province, construction will start in December 2024, with a total investment of approximately 1 billion yuan, and the construction of 5 production lines. After reaching capacity, it can achieve an annual output of 20 recyclable liquid rockets. Tianzhang Rocket Commercial Rocket Assembly and Testing Base: Located in Qibin District, Hebi City, Henan Province, after the project is completed, it will undertake the final assembly and testing tasks of the Descendant-1 liquid rocket. Tianzhang Rocket plans to produce more than 12 launch vehicles per year in Hebi in the future. Yilong Rocket Intelligent Manufacturing Production Line: Located in the Jiangnan Industrial Concentration Zone, Guichi District, Chizhou City, Anhui Province, the project will mainly build a rocket intelligent manufacturing production line, a “China Launch Vehicle Intelligent Manufacturing Supermarket” with a low-cost industrial integrated supply chain, an industrialization innovation research institute, and a recycling rocket development and simulation laboratory. The first phase of the project has started in July 2024. Lingkong Tianxing Rocket Manufacturing Base: Located in Bengbu City, Anhui Province, the base is currently under construction. According to the latest news from Bengbu, the base factory has been handed over to the company for renovation. 3. Under planning (5) Tianbing Technology Jinan Rocket Manufacturing Base: Located in Jinan City, Shandong Province. On March 27, 2025, Jinan Iron and Steel Group and Tianbing Technology officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Jinan. The “Tianbing Technology Two-stage Recyclable Rocket Headquarters and Manufacturing Base Project” and the “Heavy-Duty Liquid Rocket Engine Test Bench Project” will be launched in Jinan. Tianbing Technology Bundled Heavy Rocket Headquarters Base: Located in Guiyang City, Guizhou Province. On March 29, 2025, Guiyang Shuanglong District signed a contract with Tianbing Technology. Tianbing Technology Bundled Heavy Rocket Headquarters Base will be located in Guiyang. The project plans to invest 4 billion yuan. Nanjing Galaxy Power Intelligent Manufacturing Base: Located in Liuhe District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province. In February 2025, the Galaxy Power equipment manufacturing project was settled in Nanjing with a planned total investment of 2 billion yuan. After the base is completed, it will be able to produce 10 Pallas II series rockets per year. Interstellar Glory Reusable Liquid Launch Vehicle Production Headquarters Base: Located in Shuangliu District, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, the contract was signed on February 21, 2025, and construction is planned to start in the first half of 2025. After reaching production, it will have the production and supporting capacity to produce 20 hyperbolic-3 rockets per year. Interstellar Glory liquid rocket assembly and test base: Located in Anqing City, Anhui Province, the contract was officially signed on the morning of April 19. The medium and large liquid rocket engine assembly, liquid rocket assembly and test base projects were settled in Anqing. After reaching production, it will have the ability to produce 20 liquid rockets per year.
03
Analysis of current situation of rocket factory
1. Rocket factory layout
Based on the above public information, Nihao Space has compiled statistics on the geographical distribution of existing commercial aerospace final assembly and test rocket factories. Among them, Anhui Province has the most, with 6 rocket factories already deployed, 5 in Shandong Province and Jiangsu Province, 3 in Sichuan Province, 2 in Zhejiang Province and Beijing, and 1 in Guangdong, Chongqing, Hubei, Tianjin, Shanghai, Hainan, Henan and Guizhou.
Combined with the analysis of “China Rocket Launch Site/Work Station Inventory” by Nihao Space Statistics, the current layout of my country’s rocket factories mainly has the following two problems:
(1) The supporting facilities of the launch site are weak. Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai are home to nearly half of the country’s rocket factories. However, the Yangtze River Delta region currently lacks local launch sites except for the Xiangshan launch site in Zhejiang, which has not yet progressed. The layout of factories around the launch sites under construction in Liangshan and Yangjiang lags behind, making it impossible to achieve a closed loop of “nearby assembly and launch”.
(2) The core industrial chain is unevenly supported. The layout of the rocket factory mainly relies on investment and financing from local governments, and has not formed a complete industrial chain covering parts manufacturing, ground equipment and other links.
2. Rocket factory production capacity. According to the above information, the annual production capacity of my country’s rocket factories currently in production totals 216 rockets, with a one-time low-Earth orbit transport capacity of 1,050 tons. If all the above rocket factories reach capacity, they can produce at least 396 rockets per year, with a transport capacity of 2,204 tons. According to Hello Space’s How Many Satellite Constellations Does China Have? 》Statistics, my country is expected to launch about 2,100 satellites in 2025, and a total of 15,167 satellites will be launched before 2030, which will reach 38,410 in 2035. Rocket production capacity lags behind the explosion of satellite demand. 3. Current Development Status of Rocket Technology From the perspective of propellant types, my country’s active rockets are dominated by liquid rockets, accounting for 68%. Among them, there are 8 rockets using unbiased dimethylhydrazine/nitrogen tetroxide, 11 new generation liquid rockets, and 9 solid rockets. From the perspective of recyclable technology and rocket capacity, currently only Long March 12B, Zhuque 3 and Nebula 1 have conducted vertical takeoff and landing flight tests in my country. Only 21% of active rockets have a one-time LEO capacity of more than 10 tons. There is an urgent need to break through in recyclable rocket technology to increase capacity and reduce rocket launch costs.
Summarize
my country’s commercial space rocket manufacturing industry has a solid foundation and policy resources to support production capacity potential. However, the layout of launch sites and industrial chains is unbalanced. Existing rocket production capacity is insufficient and recycling technology has not yet broken through. There is an urgent need to optimize layout, expand production and upgrade to match satellite launch needs and enhance international competitiveness.
