Commercial rockets in Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in Yizhuang achieved six consecutive successful launches this year, marking the enhanced delivery capability and great potential of China's private aerospace enterprises.
With over 160 aerospace enterprises, Yizhuang gathers 75 percent of China's commercial rocket manufacturers. By now, six out of China's eight successful commercial rocket models are located in Yizhuang, collectively known as "Yizhuang Rockets." On May 17, the Zhuque-2E Y2 carrier rocket, independently developed by Beijing-based LandSpace, successfully deployed six satellites into their intended orbits. This marked the sixth consecutive successful launch of a "Yizhuang Rocket" this year.
Prior to this, LandSpace completed a 10-kilometer vertical takeoff and landing test on its Zhuque-3 model, signifying a breakthrough in reusable rocket technology for China's commercial aerospace sector.
"The construction of low-Earth orbit satellite internet has now entered the implementation phase, urgently requiring low-cost, high-capacity, and high-frequency launch vehicles. The Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission and Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in Yizhuang have jointly established a reusable rocket technology innovation center, providing support for our research on core technologies," said Zhang Jingru, vice president of LandSpace.
To assist private aerospace companies, Yizhuang has built a 165-hectare aerospace industrial cluster, hosting over 160 aerospace enterprises and 600 companies of related industries. By the end of 2024, the aerospace industry had scaled over 35 billion yuan (about 4.9 billion U.S. dollars).
"We will promote the demonstrative applications of commercial aerospace in 6G, vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and digital city sectors, accelerate the cultivation of application scenarios, establish viable business models, and achieve wider application of commercial aerospace technologies," said Ma Chao, deputy director of the Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing Bureau of the economic-technological development area.
Commercial aerospace enterprises based in Yizhuang plan to launch 130 satellites into orbit this year, accompanied by the debut of four new rockets.
Beijing sees boom in private aerospace industry
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
