Chinese aerospace leaders engage industrial thrust

Fresh focus

Key industry leaders note that the focus has shifted toward mass production and the urgent development of heavy-lift launch capabilities.

Lin Guangrong, a constellation communication system architect at Galaxy-Space, said his company has successfully transitioned from a "custom workshop" model to a "digital factory" approach.

Recognized as China's first unicorn company in the commercial aerospace and satellite internet sector, GalaxySpace has established a complete manufacturing chain for satellites weighing 100 to 2,000 kilograms. The company's annual production capacity for medium-sized satellites has stabilized between 100 and 150 units, with the manufacturing cycle shortened by 80 percent compared with traditional models. This efficiency is driven by a "smart brain", where algorithms continuously optimize industrial processes based on data from front-line engineers.

Industrialization extends to launch vehicles, with the aim of turning aerospace equipment into standard industrial products. For example, the Lijian-2 Y1 carrier rocket, which recently had a successful launch, shares an almost identical design for the core stage and two boosters.

Lian Jie, deputy chief designer of the Lijian-2, said this "universal booster core" configuration allows major components to be mass-produced.

Making rockets is becoming akin to assembling building blocks; simplifying the manufacturing process and enabling rapid replacement of parts can support high-frequency, airline-style launch schedules, Lian said.