https://www.scmp.com/rss/522536/feed The latest news and top stories on LandSpace. A leading entity in the aerospace sector, Beijing-based LandSpace specialises in developing liquid fuel rocket engines and commercial launch vehicles. It primarily serves Chinese private and commercial aerospace enterprises, aiming to provide cost-effective space transportation services globally. Notably, LandSpace achieved a world first in July 2023 with its methane-fueled Zhuque-2 rocket reaching orbit. The company focuses on building a... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Ling Xin,Victoria Bela Ling Xin,Victoria Bela China’s attempt to launch its most powerful privately developed rocket failed on Friday after the vehicle suffered a flight anomaly. The Tianlong-3 rocket is being developed in hopes of breaking a key bottleneck in the country’s roll-out of internet satellite megaconstellations to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink. The Tianlong-3, built by Beijing-based start-up Space Pioneer and seen as China’s answer to the US company’s workhorse, the reusable Falcon 9, lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3348908/china-launches-heavyweight-rocket-challenge-spacexs-falcon-9-it-fails?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3348908/china-launches-heavyweight-rocket-challenge-spacexs-falcon-9-it-fails?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 06:04:04 +0000 Wency Chen Wency Chen CAS Space, a leading Chinese commercial rocket maker, has filed for a listing on Shanghai’s tech-focused Star Market, joining a growing queue of private space companies seeking capital as Beijing steps up support for the sector. Founded in 2018 and incubated by the Institute of Mechanics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the start-up plans to raise 4.18 billion yuan (US$600 million) to fund research and development of reusable heavy-lift rockets, spacecraft and liquid-fuel engines,... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3348774/countdown-starts-chinese-rocket-maker-cas-space-it-sets-course-star-market?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3348774/countdown-starts-chinese-rocket-maker-cas-space-it-sets-course-star-market?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 07:29:28 +0000 Zhang Shidong,Themis Qi Zhang Shidong,Themis Qi Chinese stock investors have found a new favourite that could possibly take over the artificial intelligence trade, scooping up so-called rocket shares on bets that commercial aerospace will become the next battleground in the rivalry between Beijing and Washington. A gauge of commercial aerospace companies trading on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges has risen about 10 per cent this year, adding to a 76 per cent increase in 2025, according to data from financial services provider Shanghai... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3343815/ai-aerospace-china-meme-rocket-shares-take-race-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3343815/ai-aerospace-china-meme-rocket-shares-take-race-us?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Feb 2026 01:30:08 +0000 Regina Ip Regina Ip At this time of year, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po’s top priority is finalising the Hong Kong government’s budget for 2026-27, balancing requests for incentives and welfare against calls for a return to fiscal prudence. For decades, budget speeches have followed a familiar structure: a review of past performance, near- and medium-term forecasts, support measures for industries and social services, a report on the government’s fiscal position and financial estimates for the coming year.... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3342610/hong-kongs-budget-should-move-city-towards-inspirational-development?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3342610/hong-kongs-budget-should-move-city-towards-inspirational-development?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Feb 2026 01:30:08 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi China is moving forward with the initial public offering (IPO) plans of four private rocket makers this month, as Beijing pushes to build up its commercial space industry amid intensifying competition with Elon Musk’s SpaceX. The Shanghai Stock Exchange has issued questions on LandSpace Technology’s IPO application, according to an update late on Thursday, advancing the company’s plan to raise 7.5 billion yuan (US$1 billion) on the tech-focused Star market. IPO preparations also advanced at... https://www.scmp.com/news/china-future-tech/aerospace/article/3340964/chinas-rocket-start-ups-push-envelope-ipos-gather-pace?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china-future-tech/aerospace/article/3340964/chinas-rocket-start-ups-push-envelope-ipos-gather-pace?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Jan 2026 07:30:14 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Banks do not usually build space assets, but in China, lenders are increasingly leasing satellites, funding rocket firms and even launching spacecraft of their own. While banks elsewhere typically use satellite imagery as a purchased “alternative data” feed – for everything from monitoring crops and supply chains to assessing climate and credit risks – Chinese lenders are going further by putting satellites into orbit under their own names. China Merchants Bank (CMB) launched a satellite on... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3340771/chinese-banks-join-space-race-satellite-launches-and-rocket-backing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3340771/chinese-banks-join-space-race-satellite-launches-and-rocket-backing?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Jan 2026 03:30:23 +0000 Victoria Bela,Stephen Chen Victoria Bela,Stephen Chen Four Chinese groups are racing to build global satellite communications infrastructure to challenge the considerable head start made by US tech billionaire Elon Musk’s Starlink. The two leaders for China so far are the central-government-backed GuoWang and Shanghai-backed Qianfan. They have the most satellites in orbit and plans to eventually deploy more than 10,000 apiece. Carmaker Geely’s Geespace also has satellites in space. The fourth group, Hongqing Technology, 48 per cent owned by... https://www.scmp.com/plus/news/china-future-tech/aerospace/article/3340638/chinese-rivals-musks-starlink-wrestle-rocket-constraints?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/news/china-future-tech/aerospace/article/3340638/chinese-rivals-musks-starlink-wrestle-rocket-constraints?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Jan 2026 04:45:12 +0000 Wency Chen Wency Chen China’s commercial space sector logged 50 launches last year – more than half of the country’s total – underscoring the growing role of private players alongside the state-led space programme, with Beijing highlighting aerospace as a strategic industry. Commercial launches accounted for 54 per cent of the country’s total in 2025, according to data released on Tuesday by the China National Space Administration (CNSA). Of the total, 25 launches were carried out by commercial launch vehicles.... https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3340597/chinas-commercial-space-sector-soars-50-launches-2025?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/3340597/chinas-commercial-space-sector-soars-50-launches-2025?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Jan 2026 13:14:01 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Hong Kong aims to develop its “NewSpace” economy by positioning itself as a leading hub for finance, insurance, legal and arbitration services, and materials application in alignment with the nation’s development plan. The Chief Executive’s Policy Unit revealed on Sunday that it had hosted a high-level round table on the space economy last week, inviting academics, investors and experts from mainland China and overseas to discuss Hong Kong’s strategic positioning and opportunities amid a global... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3340347/hong-kong-eyes-slice-booming-newspace-economy-professional-services-hub?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3340347/hong-kong-eyes-slice-booming-newspace-economy-professional-services-hub?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Jan 2026 02:00:16 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Shares of Chinese companies tied to commercial rocket production tumbled after they cautioned that a recent rally had outpaced underlying fundamentals. Hunan Aerospace Huanyu Communication Technology plunged as much as 20 per cent on Tuesday, while China Spacesat dropped as much as 10 per cent before rebounding. Goldwind Science & Technology, which has a stake in rocket start-up LandSpace Technology, fell more than 13 per cent. China Aerospace Times Electronics Technology, CICT Mobile... https://www.scmp.com/business/markets/article/3339752/chinese-rocket-shares-slump-after-warnings-irrational-rally?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/markets/article/3339752/chinese-rocket-shares-slump-after-warnings-irrational-rally?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Jan 2026 09:51:01 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Chinese rocket maker LandSpace aims to raise 7.5 billion yuan (US$1 billion) from an initial public offering (IPO) in Shanghai, after becoming the first home-grown aerospace firm to have its listing application accepted via a fast-tracked process. The Beijing-headquartered company, regarded as a challenger to Elon Musk-led SpaceX, said its listing aimed to “actively respond to national strategic plans and urgent market demands”, according to its prospectus. The Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE)... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3338376/chinese-rocket-firm-landspace-moves-closer-us1-billion-ipo-shanghai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3338376/chinese-rocket-firm-landspace-moves-closer-us1-billion-ipo-shanghai?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Jan 2026 06:30:11 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi China’s private rocket makers are stepping up their dash for public funding, with Beijing-based LandSpace becoming the first commercial launch provider to clear a key regulatory “tutoring” milestone ahead of a planned listing on Shanghai’s Nasdaq-style Star Market. LandSpace completed its initial public offering (IPO) tutoring process on December 23, according to information published on the website of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) – a step that typically precedes the... https://www.scmp.com/business/investor-relations/ipo-quote-profile/article/3337821/launch-window-opens-chinas-private-space-companies-landspace-advances-ipo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/investor-relations/ipo-quote-profile/article/3337821/launch-window-opens-chinas-private-space-companies-landspace-advances-ipo?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Dec 2025 09:28:22 +0000 Victoria Bela,Holly Chik Victoria Bela,Holly Chik The Long March 12A, China’s first state-owned reusable rocket, made its debut launch on Tuesday morning but the recovery of the first stage was a failure. It marked China’s second failed bid this month to return an orbital-class booster to Earth, a feat that has so far only been achieved by the United States. The second stage of the rocket entered its predetermined orbit after its launch at 10am local time, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua. The reusable rocket, designed by the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3337415/chinas-reusable-rocket-ambitions-experience-second-setback-same-month?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3337415/chinas-reusable-rocket-ambitions-experience-second-setback-same-month?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Dec 2025 02:40:06 +0000 Victoria Bela Victoria Bela China’s first reusable rocket, the Zhuque-3, launched for the first time on Wednesday and successfully reached orbit, but efforts to recover the first stage failed after it crashed near the planned recovery site. The United States is still the only country in the world to successfully return an orbital-class booster, though China is still vying for the second spot with other upcoming launches. The reusable rocket, designed by the Beijing-based commercial space company LandSpace, was launched... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3335004/chinas-first-reusable-rocket-zhuque-3-makes-maiden-voyage-recovery-attempt-fails?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3335004/chinas-first-reusable-rocket-zhuque-3-makes-maiden-voyage-recovery-attempt-fails?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Dec 2025 05:06:21 +0000 Raymond Ma,Neil Denslow Raymond Ma,Neil Denslow Hong Kong authorities told the contractor linked to the city’s deadliest inferno in decades to step up fire safety measures as recently as last week. Prestige Construction & Engineering Co Limited received a fire warning about renovation work at Wang Fuk Court on November 20, the city’s Labour Department told the Post. Three prosecutions for safety violations at the site were also initiated between July 2024 and earlier this month, it said. The site was inspected 16 times. The city’s Independent... https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3334524/hong-kong-fire-trump-calls-japan-china-row-macron-visit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3334524/hong-kong-fire-trump-calls-japan-china-row-macron-visit?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Nov 2025 09:14:16 +0000 SCMP SCMP Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. China’s private defence companies see opportunities amid growing conflicts Escalating global conflicts could create opportunities for China’s private defence companies as customers, both at home and abroad, seek affordable and reliable military equipment, according to industry insiders. 2. Why China’s space sector is grabbing attention – including from Elon... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3334247/chinas-private-defence-firms-see-growth-beijing-sets-yuan-fix-scmp-daily-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3334247/chinas-private-defence-firms-see-growth-beijing-sets-yuan-fix-scmp-daily-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Nov 2025 13:15:08 +0000 Sylvia Ma Sylvia Ma On Saturday, the Beijing-based start-up LandSpace reportedly plans to conduct the maiden launch of its Zhuque-3 rocket – a reusable launch vehicle that could significantly boost China’s space industry by lowering the cost of lifting equipment such as satellites into orbit. The prospect of China mastering reusable rockets – a technology pioneered by US-based SpaceX – has attracted significant attention from aerospace experts, and even drew comment from SpaceX CEO Elon Musk last month. Beyond the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3334125/why-chinas-commercial-space-sector-grabbing-attention-including-elon-musk?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3334125/why-chinas-commercial-space-sector-grabbing-attention-including-elon-musk?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:00:09 +0000 Paul Buck Paul Buck Elon Musk’s SpaceX faces a looming challenge from China as the nation’s space industry races to develop reusable rockets. At least seven Chinese start-ups and two state-owned developers are preparing to blast reusable rockets into orbit, posing a potential threat to SpaceX’s dominant grip on the commercial satellite launch market. The Musk company ushered in the reusable rocket era a decade ago by successfully returning a Falcon 9 rocket stage to the launch site. Reusable rockets are key to... https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3332607/musks-spacex-faces-china-threat-reusable-rocket-race?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3332607/musks-spacex-faces-china-threat-reusable-rocket-race?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Nov 2025 07:20:10 +0000 Mia Nurmamat Mia Nurmamat In 2003, a decade after the humiliation of the Yinhe incident – when a Chinese container ship was left stranded for weeks after the United States jammed its Global Positioning System (GPS) – Beijing set its sights on bypassing the American satellite network. At first, it turned to the European Union, pledging €230 million (then US$260 million) to join the Galileo project, an independent satellite navigation system designed to reduce Europe’s reliance on GPS. But the partnership did not last.... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3332333/china-has-big-ambitions-space-and-arctic-should-west-be-worried?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3332333/china-has-big-ambitions-space-and-arctic-should-west-be-worried?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Nov 2025 22:00:14 +0000 Ling Xin,William Zheng Ling Xin,William Zheng China is making plans to bring home three astronauts whose return from the Tiangong space station was delayed after their vessel was hit by debris last week. Two people familiar with the crewed space programme said Shenzhou-22, originally built for the next crew rotation, was being prepared and stocked at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the Gobi Desert. The China Manned Space Engineering (CMSE) office said on Tuesday that “emergency plans and measures have been immediately activated in... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3332295/china-preparing-bring-home-astronauts-stranded-tiangong-space-station?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3332295/china-preparing-bring-home-astronauts-stranded-tiangong-space-station?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Nov 2025 06:00:15 +0000 Ling Xin Ling Xin The Chinese reusable rocket race is heating up, with two start-ups and a state-owned developer all aiming for orbital launches by year’s end. If successful, they could help to ease a growing mismatch between China’s limited rocket supply and surging demand. On Monday, Beijing-based Space Pioneer completed a full-scale test of the first stage of its 72 metre (236 feet) partially reusable Tianlong-3 rocket from an offshore platform in the eastern province of Shandong. The 35-second burn involved... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3325747/chinas-large-reusable-tianlong-3-rocket-passes-1000-tonne-thrust-major-exam?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3325747/chinas-large-reusable-tianlong-3-rocket-passes-1000-tonne-thrust-major-exam?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Sep 2025 04:00:12 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu South China’s Guangdong province has announced its ambition to join the country’s race to expand its commercial space sector, promising financial and policy support for companies wanting to build low-orbit satellite constellation systems and promote their application in futuristic industries including space mining and space tourism. Guangdong plans to use government procurement to support key innovative products and application scenarios for satellite constellation systems, which also include... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3322444/mining-tourism-space-ambitions-chinas-guangdong-rival-those-elon-musk?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3322444/mining-tourism-space-ambitions-chinas-guangdong-rival-those-elon-musk?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 Aug 2025 02:52:04 +0000 Julie Zhang Julie Zhang A recent surge of Chinese commercial aviation companies, either formulating or reviving listing plans, highlights the sector’s strong appetite for funding, according to analysts, as Beijing steps up support for innovation-driven businesses seeking to raise capital. LandSpace Technology – which launched in 2023 the world’s first methane-fuelled rocket into orbit, ahead of US competitors SpaceX and Blue Origin – entered a coaching agreement with China International Capital Corporation on July 25,... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3321298/rocketing-riches-chinas-cash-hungry-aerospace-firms-aim-ipos?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3321298/rocketing-riches-chinas-cash-hungry-aerospace-firms-aim-ipos?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Aug 2025 06:00:11 +0000