The Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site is driving the growth of the space industry in China's southernmost island province, with local sectors covering rockets, satellites and data services poised to expand further.
Located on the coast of suburban Wenchang City, the site has successfully completed 23 launches since the beginning of operations nearly two years ago, including two missions in September this year.
This week, joint exercises for its Phase II project began, further strengthening the launch site's role in clustering related industries across Hainan. So far this year, the Phase I pads have carried out 13 successful missions.
Construction of Launch Pad No. 3 under the Phase II project has been completed, and the rocket erection system is now undergoing unloaded drills. By the end of this year, both Launch Pads No. 3 and No. 4 will enter service, providing stronger support for high-frequency launches and rapid satellite constellation deployment.
"Launch Pad No. 3 has been fully completed, with all equipment installed and tested. It is now ready for rockets to arrive and begin joint exercises. When pairing rockets with pads, we place great importance on full test coverage and interface coordination to ensure mission success," said Zhang Guodong, deputy general manager of Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Co., Ltd.
Covering an area of 53 hectares, construction on the project phase broke ground in January 2025.
The two new pads use a "three-horizontal" approach -- horizontal assembly, testing and transfer -- which improves efficiency and allows greater compatibility with different rocket models.
"With this approach, the pads were originally designed for a five-day preparation and launch cycle plus five days of recovery. With improved capabilities, we can now complete transfer and launch in as little as three days, followed by three days of recovery. They can handle rockets with heights between 3.8 and 5 meters," Zhang said.
As the Phase II pads, tracking and control systems, and maritime recovery systems are gradually completed, the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site's annual launch capacity will exceed 60 missions.
Taking advantage of its low-latitude coastal location, Hainan is promoting the local development of rocket manufacturing, launch support, and recovery and reuse operations.
"Private companies need high efficiency and relatively low costs. The flexibility and compatibility of these launch pads create a very favorable environment for us," said Yang Shuying, deputy general manager of aerospace company Interstellar Glory.
Hainan commercial space launch site drives growth of space industry chain
