Models of recyclable and reusable rockets displayed at the Beijing Commercial Space High-Quality Development Conference

[Photo by He Guanxin from Beijing Daily]

Beijing is stepping up research and development of key technologies for its commercial space industry, setting to conduct the maiden flight of a more advanced reusable rocket this year, as reported from the Beijing Commercial Space High-quality Development Conference held on February 12. 

As the core hub of China's commercial space industry, Beijing E-Town is home to over 160 aerospace companies, with those dedicated to the R&D of commercial rockets accounting for 75 percent of the number nationwide. According to the plan, the "E-Town Rockets" will be launched more than 40 times this year, and four new rockets are expected to make their first flights. Among them, the Pallas-1 launch vehicle, fueled by kerosene and liquid oxygen, will make its maiden flight in June. The rocket can be reused about 30 times, dramatically reducing the transportation costs. By achieving breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, Beijing E-Town will also accelerate the R&D processes of medium and large reusable carrier rockets, and strive to put them into orbit before 2026.

Ten application scenarios for Beijing's commercial space industry were also released during the conference, including the development of automatic driving capabilities, smart city construction based on satellite communication and remote sensing technologies, and the verification and application of consumer-oriented direct-to-handset satellite communication technologies.

At the conference, the Satellite Internet Industrial Park was officially inaugurated. Led by the "Beijing Rocket Street" and supported by the "Aerospace Block", the industrial park plans to carry out satellite Internet industrial projects in a phased manner, to build capabilities of research and intelligent manufacturing across the entire industry chain of satellite Internet.

(Source: Beijing Daily)