Reference News Network, January 14 report: According to an article titled "China's Ambitious Private Space Industry" published on the website of the UK's The Economist on January 11, the content is translated as follows:

China has a dream of becoming a space power. China has already launched probes to Mars and built an in-orbit space station. The private aerospace industry in China is also exerting significant influence. New private launch pads will be built one after another, and new satellite factories will also increase production capacity.

Currently, China's private aerospace companies are still lagging behind their foreign counterparts. Among the approximately 600 companies in this field in China, none have the same status as SpaceX (owned by Musk) in the United States, although a couple of companies may have such potential. The most famous private entrepreneurs are Zhang Changwu and Kang Yonglai, who founded Blue Origin Aerospace and Tianding Technology, respectively.

The global space economy has grown from $300 billion to $600 billion over the past decade. Although China has made progress in many other high-tech industries, the United States still dominates the global space economy. However, China's commercial space sector has the same advantages as other high-tech sectors: a large number of engineers, ambitious entrepreneurs, and government support that views the aerospace industry as a strategic necessity. Therefore, China's catch-up in this area is just a matter of time.

Despite its ambitious goals, almost all of China's space launches still rely on the "Long March" rocket series developed by the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. These rockets have very reliable launch capabilities. As a state-owned operator, it must eliminate any risk, so the costs are relatively high. Meanwhile, the cost of SpaceX's "Falcon 9" rocket is relatively low.

However, this situation is changing. In December last year, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and Blue Origin Aerospace separately conducted test flights of reusable rockets. Other companies' reusable rockets will also enter the testing phase.

More affordable reusable rockets will greatly enhance China's space capabilities. Chinese companies can quickly build large satellite constellations in low Earth orbit.

But finding customers for these satellites may be a challenge. Western countries are cautious about receiving internet signals from Chinese platforms; potential customers in developing countries may find the service too expensive.

Industry consultant Brian Cusco said that without a large demand for orbital satellites, it is difficult to justify the huge investment in space launches to reduce launch costs.

Shandong Dongfang Space Technology Co., Ltd. stated: "Only when the data and information brought by satellites can be truly applied on a large scale... can the subsequent links of commercial space (including rockets, engines, and launch pads, etc.) develop more rapidly."

However, there are signs that demand in this area may be heating up. In December last year, European aircraft manufacturer Airbus signed an agreement with China to provide internet services for its passengers through the "Qianfan" constellation. Chinese car company Geely is building a satellite constellation to help its automotive navigation systems. Chinese high-tech companies Huawei and Xiaomi have begun to add satellite calling functions to their smartphones.

China also hopes that some aerospace companies will carry out other commercial attempts, such as space tourism and space biomanufacturing. In December last year, the private Zhiwei Technology Company sent a spacecraft carrying yeast, plants, and probiotics into orbit for scientific experiments.

In November last year, China National Space Administration established a new department to manage the commercial aerospace industry and released a plan to support the development of the industry. The plan indicates that related national facilities will be opened to private companies, and a national fund will be established to invest in commercial aerospace projects. (Translated by Pan Xiaoyan)

Original source: toutiao.com/article/7595041671952351771/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.