China's Space Program Thread II

[by78]

In a move that comes as a surprise to no one, i-Space (a.k.a. Space Honor, Interstellar Glory, StarCraft Glory, Star Glory, Interstellar Glory Space Technology, Interplanetary Glory, Interplanetary Glory Space Technology, Interstellar Glory Aerospace Technology Group, Interstellar Space Technology Corporation Ltd, etc.) has delayed the maiden flight of Hyperbola-3 to the first half of 2026. If only the company could spend as much time on developing its rockets as it does inventing an endless stream of alternative names and trademarks for itself, it would be at the forefront of the industry.

A mockup of the Hyperbola-3. There sure is a lot of sizzle coming from this company known by 11 names, but where is the steak?

 

[Asug]

While we wait for news about Shenzhou-20, those interested can read the second part about Chinese satellites for Russia.

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[TheRathalos]

Landspace and other private launch providers appear to be constrained until the return of the taikonauts via a government-managed backup mission. China’s emerging space economy still feels heavily regulated, with remnants of a command-and-control model that slows private initiative.
If Landspace had been allowed to proceed with a full launch and booster recovery before New Glenn, it could have secured a major public relations win, improved its market valuation ahead of listing, and strengthened industry morale. Instead, excessive bureaucratic caution risks undermining competitiveness at a critical moment.

Meanwhile in the real world:

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In the processes of commercial aerospace frequency licensing and launch approvals, treat private investment projects equally, and optimize market access policies for satellite communication services

at least 4 private launches from Jiuquan are/were expected in the period between the announcement of the SZ-20 return delays and a potential back Shenzhou 22 launch, 2 already happened (Lijian-1 & Ceres-1) and 2 are planned (Hyperbola 1, Zhuque-2) with possibly more.

 

[ZachL111]

Meanwhile in the real world:

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at least 4 private launches from Jiuquan are/were expected in the period between the announcement of the SZ-20 return delays and a potential back Shenzhou 22 launch, 2 already happened (Lijian-1 & Ceres-1) and 2 are planned (Hyperbola 1, Zhuque-2) with possibly more.

People don't care unfortunately, speculation runs amok when talking about Chinese space. I hate it*, and most reasonable people ignore it, but it seems to migrate here every so often.

Below is a nice image of the Long March 8A that is being transported to Hainan for launch, this will be the 14th group of Guowang satellites that I mentioned before. November 19th is the launch date. This should also put the Guowang constellation past Qianfan in terms of number. According to rumors, the satellites for Qianfan may not even launch this year, the next group should be at Hainan, but if there are updates I will let everyone here know of course.

https://imgur.com/a/EOHMVL9

Unfortunately this is the only news I have for now, besides some boring stock stuff/economy news.

Edit for the asterisk above: Healthy speculation is fine, and we have to do that a lot of the time with how the Chinese space industry operates, but baseless rumors as to say essentially that the commercial space sector is moving slower due to this or that, is just a bunch of lies. I would encourage people here, who wish to engage in these sorts of baseless rumors, to at least do your research. I've had times before where I said a rumor, and my source was wrong, I immediately update and inform people on what went wrong, and try to steer clear of errors in the future. Please, do the same.

 

[PiSigma]

India made a record a few years back. They launched 109 or so satellites in one shot. I was told that all but one of these satellites were potato sized.

India released 108 new space junk into orbit in one go.

 

[Michael90]

People don't care unfortunately, speculation runs amok when talking about Chinese space. I hate it*, and most reasonable people ignore it, but it seems to migrate here every so often.

Below is a nice image of the Long March 8A that is being transported to Hainan for launch, this will be the 14th group of Guowang satellites that I mentioned before. November 19th is the launch date. This should also put the Guowang constellation past Qianfan in terms of number. According to rumors, the satellites for Qianfan may not even launch this year, the next group should be at Hainan, but if there are updates I will let everyone here know of course.

https://imgur.com/a/EOHMVL9

Unfortunately this is the only news I have for now, besides some boring stock stuff/economy news.

Edit for the asterisk above: Healthy speculation is fine, and we have to do that a lot of the time with how the Chinese space industry operates, but baseless rumors as to say essentially that the commercial space sector is moving slower due to this or that, is just a bunch of lies. I would encourage people here, who wish to engage in these sorts of baseless rumors, to at least do your research. I've had times before where I said a rumor, and my source was wrong, I immediately update and inform people on what went wrong, and try to steer clear of errors in the future. Please, do the same.

I'm really impressed by how CASC has been able to quickly scale up rocket launches for guowang, by contrast spacesail who had a long head start over Guowang now trails behind/suffered setbacks and there is nothing to show they will get back on track and match rate of launch of guowang this coming year.

 

[Michael90]

There will be a Zhuque-2E launched prior to the Zhuque-3 launch as well, according to this outlet. Payload is unknown but the vehicle was transferred a few months ago. Here is a picture of the vehicle below.

Wait, are you saying landspace will launch a Zhuque -2E this coming days before even the Zhuque 3 which has already been on the launch pad for a few days now? I haven't seen anything yet showing an imminent Zhuque-2E launch. Do you have more infos about where this launch will take place?

 

[ENTED64]

I'm really impressed by how CASC has been able to quickly scale up rocket launches for guowang, by contrast spacesail who had a long head start over Guowang now trails behind/suffered setbacks and there is nothing to show they will get back on track and match rate of launch of guowang this coming year.

Yeah Qianfan is behind a bit now but I think realistically given how they're only at like 1% or something of the total satellite count they're aiming for by early 2030s they're both basically still even. Even if Qianfan didn't launch for much of this year, if they managed to fix the issues with their satellites it's worth it as you'd much rather have that stoppage now than in a few years when launches will be happening every week. It's going to be hard to say who will really pull ahead until we see a much higher launch tempo.

 

[ZachL111]

India released 108 new space junk into orbit in one go.

Yeah and as for the answer to the question, asked prior, I believe it was 35 satellites China showed the ability to release (not in active orbit, but a company in testing) as @by78 posted. At least I think it was their post, I can check and update later. Have to go out soon for lunch.

I'm really impressed by how CASC has been able to quickly scale up rocket launches for guowang, by contrast spacesail who had a long head start over Guowang now trails behind/suffered setbacks and there is nothing to show they will get back on track and match rate of launch of guowang this coming year.

Agreed. As far as I know, the issue was electric propulsion weakness in the Qianfan satellites, which they may have fixed by now, but Guowang is going to take the lead and keep it for the foreseeable future, I predict. Qianfan's benefit I suppose is that they launch way more satellites, in terms of the payload, per launch.

Wait, are you saying landspace will launch a Zhuque -2E this coming days before even the Zhuque 3 which has already been on the launch pad for a few days now? I haven't seen anything yet showing an imminent Zhuque-2E launch. Do you have more infos about where this launch will take place?

Within the article I posted, apologies if I was not clear where it was specifically in the article. I can give the direct quote here, I will bold the part that speaks of the launch.

On November 9, Jiemian News learned exclusively from the industrial supply chain that China’s reusable rocket “Zhuque-3” is scheduled for its maiden flight in mid-to-late November.

Up to now, no reusable rocket in China has yet completed a launch mission. Zhuque-3 is expected to become the country’s first operational reusable launch vehicle.

Zhuque-3 has entered the critical preparation phase for its first flight. In recent days, the maiden-flight vehicle successfully completed a propellant loading rehearsal and a static hot-fire test, laying the groundwork for the formal orbital launch and first-stage recovery. Jiemian News also learned that “Zhuque-2” will carry out a launch mission in mid-November.

Me and another person I share this type of news with (just to double check accuracy at times) generally agreed that the wording, mid-to-late and mid-November indicate the succession of launch will be the 2E first, and then the 3 at a later time.