In summary, the core research and development strength of China’s satellite propulsion system mainly includes the national team with decades of accumulation, as well as universities and commercial enterprises with technological innovation and flexible market mechanisms. The three work together to support the vigorous development of China’s satellite propulsion system industry.
The first is the national team. As a rock-solid core force, the national team is the cornerstone of my country’s space propulsion technology development. It has the strongest technical strength and shoulders major national engineering tasks. Mainly including the following three companies:
Lanzhou Institute of Space Technology Physics
The 510 Institute is the earliest unit to conduct research on electric propulsion technology in my country. It began to develop ion electric thrust systems in 1974. In 1986, it developed an 80 mm mercury ion electric propulsion and won the first prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award. From 1988 to 1993, the 510 Institute successfully developed a 9cm xenon ion electric propulsion system. At the end of 2016, the LHT-100 Hall electric propulsion system developed by the 510 Institute was mounted on the Shijian No. 17 satellite to complete on-orbit verification. At present, 510 Institute has formed a series of electric propulsion product systems covering power from 1 watt to 100 kilowatts, complete specifications, and complete spectrum.
Shanghai Institute of Space Propulsion
801 Institute has outstanding advantages in the field of Hall electric propulsion. In January 2024, the 50-kilowatt double-ring nested Hall thruster developed by 801 Institute successfully achieved ignition and stable operation, marking that my country has become the third country in the world to achieve a breakthrough in nested Hall electric propulsion technology. From November 18 to November 20, 2024, China’s first magnetic anode Hall thruster developed by 801 Research Institute achieved its first flight application. At present, 801 Institute has formed a product spectrum of Hall thrusters with power ranging from 100 watts to 100 kilowatts and thrust from 5 mN to 5 N.
Beijing Control Engineering Research Institute
In 2016, the 502 Institute successfully developed my country’s first magnetic focusing Hall electric propulsion system and completed its first on-orbit flight verification on the “Shijian 17” satellite, becoming the world’s first magnetic focusing Hall electric propulsion system to complete on-orbit flight verification. The power of this series of products ranges from 100 watts to 1100 watts and uses second-generation magnetic focusing technology. In 2020, China’s first 100-watt Hall electric propulsion product developed by 502 Research Institute was put into orbit for the first time, completing the first domestic low-cost modular Hall electric propulsion system on-orbit ignition verification. Since then, the 502 Institute has successively completed milestone tasks such as the first orbit-raising mission of a low-orbit satellite with a 300-watt Hall electric propulsion system, and the simultaneous continuous on-orbit ignition of three satellites with a 600-watt Hall electric propulsion system. Electric propulsion technology has gradually become mature and widely used. At the same time, the products of Institute 502 are also widely used in the commercial aerospace field. The Hall electric propulsion system specially developed for commercial aerospace has been used in orbit for more than 100 units. At present, 502 Institute has built a full range of Hall electric propulsion product models, including 100 watt, 300 watt, 600 watt and 1100 watt series of Hall electric propulsion products, with power ranging from 100 watts to 1000 watts.
Secondly, there are universities. Since the launch of my country’s aerospace industry in 1956, universities have not only been the cradle of talent training, but have also increasingly become important sites for original innovation and breakthroughs in key technologies. From Harbin Institute of Technology taking the lead in carrying out electric propulsion research, to Beihang University realizing many of the world’s first on-orbit applications, from the National University of Defense Technology exploring the cutting-edge direction of air-breathing electric propulsion, to NPU honing its sword in the field of solid-liquid hybrid engines for ten years, universities have become an innovative force that cannot be ignored in the development of my country’s space propulsion technology. Harbin Institute of Technology is a pioneer in space propulsion technology research among universities in China. The Institute of Advanced Power Technology is the core force of Harbin Institute of Technology’s space propulsion research. It has three teaching and research departments: space electric propulsion, aerospace propulsion and data mining. The research directions cover space electric propulsion theory and technology research, plasma thruster design, plasma discharge instability and control and other fields. The high-efficiency, high-specific-impulse magnetic focusing Hall thruster developed by the Advanced Power Technology Institute was successfully tested on-orbit aboard the Long March 5 in 2016. Beihang University is another important center for space propulsion technology research in China. The Department of Aerospace Propulsion of the Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics was formerly China’s first “Rocket Engine Teaching and Research Office” established in 1956. It was founded by Tu Shou’e, the father of two bombs and one satellite. In 2022, Beihang University was approved to establish the country’s first undergraduate major in “Aerospace Intelligent Electric Propulsion Technology”. In 2025, Beihang University’s independently developed ablative Z-pinch pulsed plasma propulsion system achieved the first in-orbit application in the world. In addition, among the traditional advantaged universities there are Western Polytechnic University, National University of Defense Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology, etc. In addition to these established aerospace powerhouses, there are also some emerging forces that are making continuous breakthroughs in the field of micro-nano satellite propulsion, including Dalian University of Technology, Xiamen University, Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University, China Southern Airlines, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, etc.
Finally, there are commercial propulsion companies. Driven by the dual wheels of policy and market, commercial aerospace companies are also becoming an indispensable part of the industrial chain. Most of them were born out of the technical accumulation of national teams or universities. With their keen market sense and flexible mechanisms, they rose rapidly in just a few years. Mainly including Hanhydrogen Power (Zhuhai) Technology Co., Ltd. (established in April 2016), Beijing Blue Arrow Hongqing Technology Co., Ltd. (established in November 2017), Aotian Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (established in June 2018) ), Suzhou Nafei Satellite Power Technology Co., Ltd. (established in September 2018), Nanjing Xingchen Space Technology Co., Ltd. (established in December 2019), Beijing Yidong Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd. (established in April 2020), Shanghai Haiyi Propulsion Technology Co., Ltd. (established in November 2020), Space Knowledge and Action (Wenzhou) Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd. (established in January 2023), Shanghai Weiyi New Space Technology Co., Ltd. (established in April 2023) , Harbin Xingwang Power Technology Co., Ltd. (established in December 2023), Diantui (Shanghai) Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd. (established in April 2025), Shanghai Xingji Power Technology Co., Ltd. (established in April 2025), etc. Although these companies all focus on spacecraft propulsion systems, there are still some differences in their entry points, technical routes and market positioning. In the process of development, different companies have gradually shown their own characteristics. There are companies that are down-to-earth in technology, and there are some companies that specialize in “market”. Although they jointly form this ecosystem, they have brought completely different impacts to the entire ecosystem. The following is a brief introduction to the development of the three companies.
Yidong Aerospace
1. Application of some products
On April 25, 2022, Yidong Aerospace’s resistance thruster was used for ignition on the Hainan-1 satellite.
On October 11, 2022, Yidong Aerospace’s 200W-class arc propulsion system achieved on-orbit ignition application on the future navigation S8 satellite.
On July 22, 2023, the ultra-low orbit test satellite “Qiankun-1” developed by Seth Base was successfully launched, using Yidong Aerospace’s EHPS-400 Hall electric propulsion system.
On July 23, 2023, Galaxy Aerospace Lingxi 03 was successfully launched, using Yidong Aerospace’s resistance propulsion system.
On November 23, 2023, the Star Network Inclined Orbit Test Star 02 Group A, B, and C stars were successfully launched. One star was equipped with a resistance propulsion product from Yidong Aerospace.
On December 6, 2023, the satellite Internet technology test satellite 03 was successfully launched, using Yidong Aerospace’s resistance propulsion products.
On December 4, 2023, the “Xingchi-1 Second Group A/B Star” was successfully launched, equipped with Yidong Aerospace’s xenon-krypton hybrid Hall electric propulsion system.
On February 3, 2024, Geely Constellation 02 satellites were successfully launched, using Yidong Aerospace’s wide-range adjustable Hall-type electric propulsion products.
On November 30, 2024, the satellite Internet technology test satellite (CZ 12 Y1) was successfully launched, using a propulsion system developed by Yidong Aerospace.
At 12:46 on December 4, 2024, the Haishao-1 satellite was successfully launched. The two micro-control torque gyroscopes used in the attitude control system of the Haishao-1 satellite were developed by Yidong Aerospace.
On January 20, 2025, a total of four meteorological remote sensing satellites, Yunyao-1 37-40, were successfully launched. These four satellites are equipped with electric propulsion products from Yidong Aerospace.
On March 17, 2025, a total of six satellites, Yunyao-1 55-60, were successfully launched. These six satellites are equipped with electric propulsion products from Yidong Aerospace.
On March 21, 2025, a total of six satellites, Yunyao-1 43-48, were successfully launched. These six satellites are equipped with Yidong Aerospace electric propulsion products.
On May 17, 2025, a total of 6 satellites, Tianyi 29, Tianyi 34, Tianyi 35, Tianyi 42, Tianyi 45, and Tianyi 46, were successfully launched. Three of the six satellites were equipped with Yidong Aerospace’s resistance propulsion system.
On August 9, 2025, Geely Constellation 04 Group 01-11 satellites were successfully launched, using 20 sets of Hall electric propulsion systems from Yidong Aerospace.
On September 16, 2025, the Satellite Internet Technology Test Satellite Group 08 A-D was successfully launched. Three of these four satellites adopted Yidong Aerospace’s high-power krypton refrigerant Hall electric propulsion system.
2. Financing situation
In December 2020, angel round financing was completed, and the investor was Lenovo Star. In May 2021, Series A financing was completed, and the investors were Famous Investment and Future Navigation. In May 2023, it completed Series B financing of over 100 million yuan. Investors include Lenovo Venture Capital, CDH Baifu, Shenzhen High-tech Investment, Sichen Dongfang, Xiamen High-tech Investment, etc. In February 2024, tens of millions of yuan in Series B+ financing were completed, with Shenzhen Venture Capital exclusively investing. In September 2024, the B2 round of financing was completed. Investors include China Central Capital, CITIC Construction Investment, Jiupai Capital, Yuquan Capital, Su Gaoxin Venture Capital, etc. In October 2025, B3 financing was completed, and Shenzhen Venture Capital once again invested heavily. In February 2026, it completed the B4 round of financing exceeding 100 million yuan. The investors were Bohua Capital and Ningbo Qianwan New Area Yongshang Yarong Venture Capital.
star space
1. Application of some products
On July 23, 2023, Galaxy Space Lingxi 03 was successfully launched, equipped with Star Space’s 200W Hall electric propulsion system.
On September 5, 2023, the 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th stars of the Apocalypse Constellation were successfully launched. These 4 stars are equipped with the 0.5N single-component chemical propulsion system of Star Space.
On November 27, 2024, the Light Transmission 01 and 02 stars were successfully launched, equipped with chemical propulsion products from Star Space.
On November 30, 2024, the satellite Internet technology test satellite was successfully launched, using Star Space’s 900W krypton refrigerant Hall electric propulsion system. 36 days later, the Internet technology test satellite was successfully boosted to the target mission orbit.
On December 4, 2024, the Haishao-1 satellite was successfully launched, equipped with two Hall electric propulsion systems from Star Space (a 400W krypton electric propulsion system and a 600W xenon electric propulsion system), and a 0.5N single-component chemical propulsion system.
On December 17, 2024, four X-band radar remote sensing satellites developed by Galaxy Aerospace were successfully launched. These four satellites adopted Star Space’s 400W krypton refrigerant Hall electric propulsion system.
On May 19, 2025, the 34th to 37th stars of the “Apocalypse Constellation” were successfully launched. These four stars all used Star Space’s 0.5N single-component chemical propulsion system.
On August 4, 2025, the Satellite Internet Low Orbit 07 satellites were successfully launched, all equipped with Star Space’s kryptonite Hall electric propulsion system.
On December 5, 2025, the transportation VDES satellites A and B were successfully launched, using the chemical propulsion system of Star Space.
On January 16, 2026, the 37th to 40th stars of the “Apocalypse Constellation” were successfully launched. These four stars are all equipped with Star Space’s 0.5N single-component chemical propulsion system.
On March 30, 2026, Tianshi Satellite 01 was successfully launched, using the star space chemical propulsion system.
2. Financing situation
In May 2021, the angel round of financing was completed, and the investor was Puhua Capital. In August 2022, the Pre-A round was completed, and the investors were Puhua Capital and Qifu Capital. In September 2023, nearly 100 million yuan in Series A financing was completed, led by Yuanhang Capital and Gaomai, followed by Rongding Capital and Huacang Capital. In June 2024, the A+ round of financing was completed, and the investor was China Property Zhongda Investment. In November 2025, the A++ round of financing was completed, with Nanjing Jiangning Economic Development Lingyi Fund strategically leading the investment.
Aotian Technology
1. Application of some products
On August 9, 2022, a total of three satellites, Taijing-1 01/02 and Donghai-1, were successfully launched, using Aotian Technology’s electric propulsion products.
On December 7, 2022, the Xingyun Transportation VDES test satellite was successfully launched, equipped with Aotian Technology’s Hall electric propulsion products.
On December 18, 2022, the “Macau Student Science Satellite No. 1” developed by Dongfanghong Satellite Company was released by the China Space Station, entered a predetermined orbit and carried out earth observation and other tasks. The satellite is equipped with Aotian Technology’s V-shaped electric propulsion products.
On July 22, 2023, the Star Times-16 (Taian) was successfully launched, equipped with Aotian Technology’s electric propulsion products.
On July 23, 2023, the AS-01 Star Mine Da Nanhu was successfully launched, equipped with Aotian Technology’s Hall electric propulsion products.
On May 31, 2024, the “Hebei Linxi-1” satellite was successfully launched, using Aotian Technology’s electric propulsion products.
On August 29, 2024, the Jitianxing A-03 satellite (Suzhou-1 satellite) was successfully launched, using Aotian Technology’s electric propulsion products.
On September 24, 2024, Luojia 4 star 01, “Star Times-15” and “Final Frontier 1 star 01” were successfully launched. These three stars are equipped with Aotian Technology’s electric propulsion products.
On November 9, 2024, the “Zhuzhou Tianyuan”, “Zhuzhou Lusong”, “Zhuzhou Liling” and “Zhuzhou Tianxin” were successfully launched. These four satellites used Aotian Technology’s Hall electric propulsion products.
On November 11, 2024, Xiguang-1 Star 04 and Star 05 were successfully launched. These two stars were equipped with Aotian Technology’s electric propulsion products.
2. Financing situation
In September 2019, angel round financing was completed, and the investor was Qihang Investment. In June 2020, Pre-A round of financing was completed, and the investor was Matrix Partners. In December 2020, Series A financing was completed, and the investor was Hangzhou Chaosheng Investment. In December 2021, Series B financing was completed, and the investors were Zhongguancun Venture Capital and Yuanhe Origin. In June 2023, Series C financing was completed, with investors including Mingheng Industrial Investment, Shenzhen Sunflower Investment, Chengdu Science and Technology Venture Capital Group, Ceyuan Capital, Chengdu Venture Capital, Hongfu Assets, and Chengdu Hi-tech Investment Group. In February 2024, the C+ round of financing was completed, and the investor was Guokai Science and Technology. In April 2025, the C++ round of financing was completed, with investors including Yuanyi Investment, Chenfeng Cornerstone, Wuxi Liangxi Science and Technology City Development Group, Yingfang Capital, Wuxi Transportation Group, and Beijing Commercial Aerospace and Low Altitude Economic Fund. In November 2025, the D round of financing was completed, and the investors were Fuzhuo Investment and Qihang Investment.
