Lijian-1 carrier rocket developed by Chinese praivate aerospace company CAS Space
Chinese commercial aerospace enterprises are diversifying by cooperating with e-commerce platforms,
MK sports as they see the sector's growing momentum empowering the nation's recovering consumption market.
Chinese e-commerce platform Taobao and Chinese commercial aerospace company CAS Space are running a promotion for VIP users to write their wishes on the surface of a rocket and watch the launch onsite, according to a statement sent to the Global Times on Thursday.
The collaboration showcases a unique aspect of the commercial aerospace industry, which focuses on creating business value to gain market share and achieve sustainable development, experts said.
The launch will feature the Kinetica-1 launch vehicle developed by CAS Space, and it is expected to take place at the end of September from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China's Gansu Province.
The Kinetica-1 is China's largest solid propellant launch vehicle with a takeoff mass of 135 tons and takeoff thrust of 200 tons. The rocket made its maiden flight in July 2022, sending six satellites into orbit, according to CAS Space.
The collaboration will give the public a window on the mysteries of space, and it represents a diverse collision of culture, creativity and commerce, CAS Space said. It will reshape the commercial aerospace industry's image of integrating into people's daily lives and consumption scenarios.
This is not the only such collaboration. In March, Beijing-based Sepoch Technology Co announced that it would work with Taobao to experiment with delivering on-demand packages by reusable rockets. The first test will be carried out this year. If the project goes smoothly, international delivery packages could be completed by a rocket within hours, said Sepoch Technology.
China's commercial aerospace industry has reached a certain scale with a sufficient number of enterprises, some of which can send cargo or satellites into orbit, achieving representative industrial technologies such as reusable rockets and satellite constellations, Wang Yanan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Thursday.
In 2023, the number of newly established commercial aerospace companies in China reached 113,272, up 28.95 percent year-on-year. The sector conducted 13 launches, while the number in 2022 was five, China Media Group reported.
"With the government-backed aerospace company focusing on achieving scientific research goals, and private enterprises generating revenue for the aerospace industry, this operating model can help the sustainable development of the industry," said Wang.