Do you know how many rocket companies there are in China?
The 2025 Government Work Report mentioned commercial aerospace twice, and local governments have increased investment in the commercial aerospace industry. As the core of the aerospace industry chain, rocket companies are once again experiencing great popularity.
Today, we will take stock of:
How many commercial rocket companies are there in China?
01
35 commercial rocket companies
According to Hello Space
According to statistics, there are currently 35 commercial rocket companies registered in China. These include 31 private enterprises, 1 mixed-ownership enterprise, and 3 state-owned enterprises. include:
According to the development stage, we classify these rocket companies into 5 echelons:
First echelon:
China Business Fire,
Chinese rocket,
There are 7 companies in total including Blue Arrow Aerospace, Tianbing Technology, Oriental Space, Zhongke Aerospace, and Galaxy Power.
Second tier:
Science and Technology Rockets, Interstellar Glory,
Deep Blue Aerospace and Arrow Technology, a total of 4 companies.
Start-ups:
There is a mature technical team (the core founding team has been engaged in launch vehicle research and development and has research and development experience) but it is still in the initial stage of development. include:
New Space Aerospace, Qianyi Aerospace,
twilight sailing,
Great voyage leap,
Yushi space,
Yilong rocket,
Qingluan rocket,
Tianzhang rocket,
Taihan Aerospace,
star route,
Zhihang Technology,
rocket pie
, a total of 12 companies.
Suborbital Rockets and Transformed Companies:
Transformation enterprises that own suborbital, sounding rockets, or launch vehicle products that have been abandoned for various reasons. include:
Lingke Aerospace, Zero-One Space, Star Exploration, Aerospace Engine, Tianqing Aerospace, Lingkong Tianxing, Huayi Hongda, Star Arrow Aerospace, and Enterprising Space, a total of 9 companies.
No more information or the company has closed down
: Yulong Aerospace, Liji Space, and Beiyang Star, a total of 3 companies.
02
Introduction to the development of private rocket companies
Next, let’s learn one by one about the development status of the above 35 rocket companies.
First echelon:
China Business Fire:
The commercial rocket company under the Aerospace Science and Technology Group was established under the leadership of the Eighth Academy of Aerospace Science and Technology. The rocket currently in operation is my country’s first 3.8-meter rocket, the Long March 12, which was developed by the Eighth Academy. The Long March 12 recyclable configuration under development is also the fastest-growing recyclable rocket in China.
As a holding company of Aerospace Technology Group,
Aerospace technology
The Eighth Hospital took the lead,
Shanghuo, a commercial rocket company with the national prefix in which the First Academy and the Sixth Academy hold shares, is currently the commercial rocket company with the deepest foundation and strongest strength in China.
Chinese Rockets:
As a commercial rocket company affiliated with the First Academy of Sciences, there is no doubt about the strength of Chinese rockets. However, due to positioning reasons, the company currently only has two solid small rockets, Jielong 1 and Jielong 3.
Blue Arrow Aerospace:
Blue Arrow Aerospace was established in June 2015. It is the first private rocket company in the country to obtain all access qualifications and the only one to successfully achieve orbit based on self-developed liquid engines.
There are currently two products: Zhuque No. 2 and Zhuque No. 3. Among them, Zhuque-2 is a medium-sized rocket currently in service, and Zhuque-3 is a large-scale recyclable and reusable rocket under development. It is expected to make its first flight in May this year.
Tianbing Technology:
Tianbing Technology was established in January 2019. Although it was established relatively recently, it is one of the fastest-growing commercial rocket companies in China. Its self-developed Tianlong 2 will make its first flight in 2023 and is my country’s first private liquid rocket to successfully enter orbit. Its self-developed Tianlong 3 large-scale recyclable rocket will also make its first flight in June this year.
China Aerospace:
China Aerospace is China’s first mixed-ownership commercial rocket company. It was established in December 2018 and is headquartered in Nansha, Guangzhou.
China Aerospace Corporation currently has two rockets: Lijian-1 and Lijian-2.
Among them, Lijian-1 was launched 6 times in a row, and the sixth launch failed. Lijian-2 is a medium-to-large liquid recyclable rocket expected to make its first flight in 2025.
Galaxy Power:
Galaxy Power was established in 2018 and owns three products: Ceres 1 and 2, and Pallas 1.
Among them, Ceres-1 has carried out 17 launch missions so far, making it the private rocket with the most launches in China. Pallas 1 is a large liquid recyclable rocket under development and is expected to make its first flight in August 2025. Ceres 2 is a small solid rocket expected to make its first flight in 2025.
Oriental space:
Oriental Space was established in 2020 and has two products: Gravity One and Gravity Two.
Among them, the Gravity 1 solid rocket is currently the largest solid rocket in the world, and the Gravity 2 is a large liquid recyclable rocket under development. It was originally expected to make its first flight at the end of 2025. However, because the first-stage engine was changed from the Force 85 to the 110-ton liquid engine Force-110, the progress of the first flight is currently unknown.
(picture:
Zhuque-2 Rocket Source: Blue Arrow Aerospace
）
Second tier:
Science and Technology Rockets:
The commercial rocket company under Aerospace Sanjiang owns Kuaizhou-1, Kuaizhou-1A, Kuaizhou-11 and other rockets.
Interstellar Glory:
Star Glory was established in October 2016 and currently has two products: Hyperbolic One and Hyperbolic Three. Among them, Hyperbola 1 is a small solid rocket that was launched 7 times and failed 4 times. Hyperbola-3 is a medium-sized liquid recyclable rocket expected to make its first flight in 2025.
Deep Blue Aerospace:
In 2025, Deep Blue Aerospace has just completed a B4 round of financing of nearly 500 million yuan. This round of financing is mainly used for the research and development of Nebula-1. However, as a small rocket with a capacity of 2 tons, the Nebula-1 rocket cannot support Deep Blue Aerospace’s launch business.
Arrow Technology:
Arrow Technology’s Yuanxingzhe 1 recyclable rocket is currently in the verification stage of high-altitude recovery flight and is scheduled to fly for the first time in 2025.
(picture:
Deep Blue Aerospace B4 round financing poster Source: Deep Blue Aerospace
）
Start-ups:
Start-ups usually have just formed a core technical team and have found a new approach in products or models and have unique innovations, but the products are still in the so-called “PPT stage”.
New space aerospace:
Currently, six liquid recyclable launch vehicles are planned, including Chitu 1, Chitu 3, Chitu 3A, Chitu 6, Chitu 6A, and Chitu Heavy. Adopt vertical take-off and landing + landing leg recovery solution.
Billion Aerospace:
The rocket under development is the Xuantiao-1 liquid recyclable rocket with a body diameter of 3.8 meters. The body material is stainless steel. The first stage uses nine Aerospace Propulsion Mosasaurus 1 engines. The recycling method is eagle claw clip (that is, chopstick recycling).
micro
Light navigation:
The reusable liquid launch vehicle Weiguang 1 independently developed by Weiguang Navigation adopts the first-stage + upper stage configuration. The cost of rocket recovery and reuse accounts for 90%. At present, the upper stage has been developed. It has an ignition mass of 12t, uses liquid oxygen methane propellant, and has a variable thrust adjustment capability of 30% to 110%.
Big flight jump:
The rocket under development is Yuanjian-1, which passed the program review in December 2024. The first stage adopts the tower recovery method and can be reused no less than 15 times.
Yushi Space:
Rockets under development
AS-1 stainless steel structure + liquid oxygen methane power, capture arm recovery and reuse method, the total length of the rocket is about 70m, the diameter of the rocket body is 4.2m, and the reusable LEO orbit carrying capacity is about 10t.
Yilong Rocket:
The founder Sui Guofa once served as the model chief craftsman of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation’s launch vehicle series. Yilong Rocket is committed to building a fully recycled, low-cost medium and large liquid rocket to benchmark Falcon 9.
Qingluan Rocket:
It is planned to develop the rocket Qingluan 2 with a body diameter of 5 meters, a take-off weight of 500 tons, two boosters bundled in the first stage, and a retractable wing + horizontal recovery method.
Tianzhang rocket:
It is planned to develop the Houyi-1 rocket with a diameter of 3.8 meters and a total length of 60 meters. The SSO transport capacity is not less than 6 tons. There are also heavy-duty series research and development plans for reuse and core-stage parallel connection.
Taihan Aerospace:
Committed to the research and development of liquid launch vehicles, it is characterized by full 3D printing. More than 90% of rocket parts will be directly 3D printed from raw materials into finished products in the factory. The Yi engine it developed uses a full 3D printing process.
Star route:
It is planned to develop the Xingchen-1 small liquid recyclable rocket, using 9 liquid oxygen kerosene needle injection engines, with a LEO capacity of about 2 tons.
Zhihang Technology:
It is planned to develop two medium and large liquid recyclable rockets in parallel, covering a transport capacity of 1-12 tons, and the recovery method will adopt the engine component parachute + air bag recovery method.
Rocket Pie:
The rocket group plans a total of two rockets: the small solid rocket Darwin 1 and the small liquid recyclable rocket Darwin 2. A Longyun liquid oxygen methane engine is installed on the first stage, and a Lingyun liquid oxygen methane engine is installed on the second stage.
(Picture: Yushi Space AS-1 rocket concept map Source: Yushi Space)
Suborbital Rockets and Transformed Companies:
This type of company either only produces sounding, suborbital and other small rockets, or due to poor research and development, they withdraw from the launch vehicle development track and transform into other businesses.
Lingke Aerospace:
It plans to develop the “New Route One” small recyclable liquid rocket. The company has no R&D developments after 2022. According to platforms such as Qichacha, Lingke Aerospace and its affiliates have added “drone” related businesses, and it is speculated that they have already transformed.
Zero One Space:
It once launched the OM-S small solid launch vehicle, and after the failure launched the Spirit Dragon series rockets. The company’s business has now shifted to target missiles and solid rocket power supporting business.
Star Discovery:
It had planned to develop the “Xingtu-1” small solid launch vehicle, but there has been almost no progress in the development of this model. Currently, it is mainly engaged in target missiles and other related businesses.
Air and Space Engine:
It had planned to develop two liquid rockets, AX-1 and AX11. After 2022, the development progress will be slow. According to the official website information, it has transitioned to the development of hypersonic aircraft.
Tianqing Aerospace:
It once planned to develop the solid rocket SE-1 rocket, and has now transformed into a solid rocket power system supplier.
Skywalk:
It once focused on the development of the “Tianxing” series of rockets, but now turns to the development of supersonic aircraft. On January 20, 2025, it announced a “Sky Monkey” supersonic aircraft.
Hua Yi Hongda:
suborbital rocket”
Huayi No.1
“Launched in December 2021, the first and second stages of the rocket use solid motors, with a total length of 9.1 meters, a diameter of 0.45 meters, and a flight altitude of 255 kilometers.
Star Arrow:
In 2022, Starship SpaceX test-fired the world’s first near-space space-based platform sounding small rocket at the Mangya Lenghu Mars Camp in Qinghai.
Room for advancement:
It once planned an aggressive series of suborbital, launch vehicle and other products, but currently, according to its official public account, the company’s main business is focused on “space breeding.”
(picture:
Zero One Space Spirit Dragon Series Rockets Source:
Zero One Space)
No more information or companies that have withdrawn from the industry:
Yulong Aerospace:
Yulong Aerospace did not have a professional team when it was founded, and founder Lu Yulong did not have an aerospace background. Currently, the company is involved in many judicial cases, and has essentially withdrawn from the rocket research and development business. Liji Space:
After its establishment in 2019, the “Tianmeng Rocket” was released, but since then there has been no relevant news or progress.
Beiyang Star:
Founded in 2024, the licensed business scope includes the research and development of rocket control systems; the research and development and manufacturing of rocket launch equipment; the research and development and manufacturing of rocket engines, etc. There is no further public information.
(picture:
Yulong Aerospace Grand Master Rocket Press Conference Source:
Baidu Encyclopedia)
03
Analysis of the current situation of China’s private rocket development
Competition status:
Based on the above information, it is not difficult to judge that there are still 23 Chinese commercial rocket companies on the commercial launch track, and only 11 companies that can truly compete for Starnet and Qianfan launch orders, including 3 state-owned enterprises and a mixed-ownership enterprise.
(Picture: Zhuque-3 VTVL-1 test arrow’s 100-meter vertical take-off and landing test flight
Source: Blue Arrow Aerospace
）
Next, China’s recyclable rockets will enter an intensive period of first flights. At least eight recyclable rockets are scheduled to fly for the first time this year. 2025 is likely to be a watershed for commercial rocket companies. Companies that succeed in their first flights will quickly seize the market and rapidly iterate to widen the gap with other companies. Losers may be integrated or exit.
Development opportunities:
National strategic support: The 2025 Government Work Report mentioned commercial aerospace twice. Local governments have increased investment in the aerospace industry chain, and relevant departments have simplified the launch approval process (such as “one rocket, multiple satellites” rapid approval) and formulated industry standards to provide policy guarantees for technology verification and commercialization.
Satellite Internet Construction: China’s “State Grid” (GW Constellation Plan) and “Qianfan” constellation have promoted the launch demand for low-orbit satellites. It is expected that the average annual launch demand will exceed 1,000 after 2025.
There is a problem:
Insufficient launch sites: We have also mentioned in previous articles that among China’s current six launch sites, there are only two commercial launch sites. Among them, the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site has only two launch stations, which can support 32 launches per year. Compared with the more than 20 launch sites in the United States, China’s commercial space launch market still has a long way to go.
(Picture: Hainan Commercial Development Phase II site Source: Hainan Commercial Development)
International Access Restrictions: The U.S. ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) restricts satellites containing U.S. technology from being launched using Chinese rockets, squeezing the market space of Chinese commercial rocket companies and leading to fierce domestic competition.
High-end materials rely on imports: Rocket high-temperature-resistant materials, precision sensors, etc. still rely on European and American suppliers, and there is a risk of “stuck”.
Summarize:
China’s commercial aerospace rocket industry is on the eve of technological breakthroughs and the “critical point of market reshuffle.” Driven by the triple drive of policy, capital, and technology, leading companies are expected to join the second echelon in the world (second only to SpaceX) after 2025. However, they need to be wary of resource waste and technology bubbles caused by excessive competition.
1879
Collection!
Commercial aerospace industry financing projects
We will carry out “
Commercial Space Project Financing Roadshow
“Activity aims to provide a platform for display and capital docking of innovation and entrepreneurial projects in the commercial aerospace field, promote the implementation of industrial innovation, and accelerate the industrialization process of innovation results.
This solicitation is fully open to enterprises in the upstream, midstream and downstream industrial chain of commercial aerospace, covering multiple fields such as new materials and new processes, parts manufacturing, complete satellites and rockets, satellite applications and services.
This roadshow will invite domestic
well-known investment institutions,
Angel investors,
Industrial Investment Group,
local government
/
Produce
industrial park
There are over 100 professional investors.
, and submit your financing BP. We will conduct a roadshow in March 2025 and look forward to your participation.
