CAS Space of China aims to go international

HELSINKI — Commercial launch provider CAS Space is looking to enter international markets to secure its long-term growth.

CAS Space, a commercial spinoff from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), has established itself with its Kinetica-1 (Lijian-1) solid rocket, which has launched four times, including a 2022 debut flight, all successfully. Its main customer is Changguang Satellite Technology (CGST), another commercial CAS entity building an Earth observation constellation.

The upcoming Kinetica-2 rocket, currently set for launch in September 2025, will enhance CAS Space’s payload capabilities to reach broader client needs, offering up to 7,800 kilograms to sun-synchronous orbit and 12,000 kg low Earth orbit. Potential recovery tests for reuse are planned at the end of 2026. It recently secured a role launching a low-cost cargo transportation system to the Tiangong space station, and is aiming to offer suborbital tourist flights by 2027. 

CAS Space plans 5-8 launches next year, with 2-3 Kinetica-2 launches also booked. But the company is looking to expand to offer its services globally. 

“There is lots of competition going on right now, and our perspective is that we have to have a really big market here [in China], but it’s not big enough for all these large companies,” Liu Weipeng, CAS Space international marketing manager, told SpaceNews at the 75th International Astronautical Congress in Milan, Oct. 17. 

CAS Space faces competition for launch contracts for constellations such as Guowang and Thousand Sails (Qianfan) and commercial plans from not only fellow startups including Landspace, Galactic Energy, Space Pioneer, iSpace and Deep Blue Aerospace, but also the state-owned main space contractor CASC and its Long March rockets. It now faces competition for the potential suborbital tourism market in China, with Deep Blue Aerospace selling two seats for 2027 flights.

“So for a company like ourselves to grow, it’s important for us to expand to global clients,” Liu said.

Part of that effort was a presence at IAC, which saw more than 11,000 participants. But entering the market is challenging on a number of fronts, including U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and other export controls, but also competition.

“It’s difficult,” Liu said, on trying to make inroads internationally. “I would say it will be rewarding, but it will be a very difficult first step, especially if you know all the regulations in place.” Liu adds that ITAR has almost entirely barred CAS Space from the American and European markets.

Competition from SpaceX, with its Transporter missions, is also stated as a major hurdle for gaining international contracts. There is also the issue of perception regarding the Chinese launch sector.

“There’s a misconception, I would say, that the Chinese companies are obscured. They’re not transparent enough. It’s something that we do often see,” says Liu. “But as a commercial company, into global markets, we want to change that perspective.” Part of this includes being active on X, formerly Twitter, posting updates and even responding to questions.

The company appears to have a blend of government support, private investment, commercial revenues, and strategic partnerships, including support from CAS. When the company raised $31 million in 2021, leading investors were CITIC Juxin, ultimately owned by state-owned investment company CITIC Group Corporation, Zhongke Chuangxing, an accelerator fund set up by CAS, and Yuexiu Industrial Investment, another state-owned investment vehicle, operating in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. 

CAS Space currently launches from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert, northwest China. But it is looking to expand to the new commercial Hainan spaceport near Wenchang. This, and a plan to begin sea launches next year, may provide more flexibility.

Related to this, the company also plans to use cruise ships off the coast of Wenchang to view launches from Wenchang commercial spaceport. The move is related to its wider space tourism plans, with suborbital missions and CAS Space in 2022 entering into a partnership with the China Tourism Group. 

Before this, CAS Space is looking to secure a Chinese commercial first. “We have potential partners. We have a few projects ongoing, so we wish to make the first step for the Chinese commercial Chinese space launch industry, to the global space market,” Liu said. “Hopefully, very soon, the next couple of launches, we will have a few payloads from other countries.”