Hainan’s Commercial Spaceport Takes Off with Dual Launch Pads Ready
In the early hours of March 12, the skies above south China’s Hainan Province lit up as a Long March-8 Y6 carrier rocket blasted off, carrying 18 low Earth orbit satellites into space. This mission marked the inaugural launch from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site’s No. 1 launch pad, following the first launch from the No. 2 pad on November 30, 2024. With both launch pads now operational, China’s first commercial spaceport is poised for a new era of space exploration.
Hainan is harnessing its unique position and free trade port policies to transform into a global hub for the aerospace industry. By driving the development of rocket, satellite, and data industry chains, the province is propelling its “space+” economy to new heights.
Approved in 2022, the construction of the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site at Wenchang International Aerospace City began in July of that year. Remarkably, the site achieved operational status with dual launch pads in just 32 months. “This milestone marks the completion of the site’s first-phase capacity building, addressing a gap in China’s commercial launch capabilities,” said Lu Liangliang from the Department of System Engineering of the China National Space Administration.
Work is already underway on the second phase of the launch site, expected to be completed by the end of 2026. This will include a command and control center and two additional liquid rocket launch pads, boosting the launch site’s capacity. Once finished, the site will add an annual capacity of 30 to 40 launches, bringing the total annual launch capacity to over 60.
Wenchang International Aerospace City, one of Hainan’s key industrial zones, is rapidly becoming a magnet for aerospace innovation. By the end of October 2024, over 700 space-related enterprises and institutions had settled in the space city, creating a dynamic ecosystem led by key players like the China National Space Administration.
On December 2, 2024, during the Wenchang International Aviation & Aerospace Forum, 26 satellite industry enterprises signed agreements to join the space city. Among them are prominent commercial space companies like iSpace and Galactic Energy, further cementing Wenchang’s status as a burgeoning space industry hub.
In a push to cultivate the next generation of aerospace talent, Hainan launched its first Aerospace Application Technology Industry Academy in March. The academy aims to foster interdisciplinary professionals with a focus on space, internationalization, and artificial intelligence.
With these developments, Hainan is not just witnessing the launch of rockets but also igniting a new engine for industrial growth, positioning itself at the forefront of China’s commercial spaceflight industry.
