As an important window for China’s aerospace industry to go global, Great Wall Corporation plays a bridge and link role in promoting China’s commercial aerospace industry to go overseas.
Today let’s talk about: China’s top 10 overseas commercial aerospace companies—Great Wall Company.
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Great Wall Company
Great Wall Corporation (China Great Wall Industrial Group Co., Ltd.) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Group Corporation. Founded in 1980, it is a commercial organization authorized by the Chinese government to engage in commercial launch services, in-orbit delivery of satellite systems, and space technology cooperation.
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Main business
As a professional company in the international operation of China’s aerospace industry, Great Wall has developed into a system integrator integrating aerospace products and comprehensive services. Its business covers international launch services, on-orbit delivery of communication and remote sensing satellites, aerospace infrastructure construction, import and export of components and components, international aerospace cooperation, commercial aerospace integration services and other overall solutions. In addition, Great Wall has also actively expanded its diversified service capabilities. While providing customers with high-quality products in key areas such as satellite applications, new energy, information electronic products, petroleum and petrochemical equipment, and new materials, it can also provide professional services such as international cooperation, consulting, exhibitions, logistics, international trade, project contracting, bidding, e-commerce, energy conservation and environmental protection.
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“Long March Express” launch service brand
The “Long March Express” launch service brand launched by Great Wall Company is China’s first commercial “shared rocket” launch model, aiming to provide commercial satellite customers with cost-effective, flexible and efficient launch services through ride-sharing launches. Since its launch, the “Long March Express” has successfully carried out five dedicated launches, sending a total of 52 satellites into predetermined orbits.
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Overseas performance
Up to now, Great Wall has completed a total of 101 commercial launches, launching 74 international commercial satellites (including 14 in-orbit deliveries of communication satellites and 5 in-orbit deliveries of remote sensing satellites) and 261 domestic commercial satellites. In addition, Great Wall Company also provided 52 launch services, launching 29 international payloads (including 2 in-orbit delivery of remote sensing satellites) and 127 domestic commercial satellites.
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Overseas cases
United States: On April 7, 1990, the Long March-3 carrier rocket successfully delivered the Asia-1 satellite, manufactured by the American Hughes Company and owned by Hong Kong’s Asia Satellite Company, into the predetermined orbit. This marked the first time that my country provided launch services for foreign-made satellites, marking the beginning of China’s aerospace industry going global. Philippines: On August 20, 1997, the Mabuhai communication satellite of the Philippine Mabuhai Satellite Company was successfully launched by the Long March 3B carrier rocket, which meant that China had the ability to launch various heavy-duty satellites on the international market at that time, which greatly enhanced China’s competitiveness in the international commercial launch service market. Nigeria: On May 14, 2007, Nigeria Communications Satellite 1 was successfully launched on board the Long March 3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. This is the first commercial satellite project won by Great Wall Company through international public bidding. It is also the first time that my country has provided commercial satellite services to international users in an integrated manner including rockets, satellites and launch support. Pakistan: On January 17, 2025, the Long March-2D carrier rocket was successfully launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, sending Pakistan’s PRSC-EO1 remote sensing satellite into the predetermined orbit. This satellite is the first of three optical remote sensing constellations planned by Pakistan’s SUPARCO, and all will be launched by Great Wall Company.
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Enter international commercial aerospace
As competition in the global aerospace market intensifies, Chinese commercial aerospace companies have gradually shown a strong momentum of “going overseas”. As the first “national team” in China to set foot in the international launch market, Great Wall Corporation’s more than 30 years of development itself is the epitome of the internationalization of China’s commercial aerospace industry. From the “Asia One” launch in 1990, China’s first aerospace launch, to now providing a complete set of launch services for Pakistan’s remote sensing constellation, Great Wall has gradually explored an international path that combines technology output and service integration. Faced with the new trend of “fragmentation and miniaturization” of global commercial aerospace, Great Wall Company launched the “Long March Express” shared launch service, creating a cost-effective and highly adaptable “aerospace Pinduoduo” model through flexible contract fulfillment and cost sharing mechanisms. This is not only an effective response to international competitors such as SpaceX, but also marks China’s aerospace active transformation from technology export to building a global business ecosystem.
